Insurance
Study Abroad Sickness & Accident Insurance
Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan
The Oregon University System Legal Affairs office mandates universal health insurance coverage with a common provider for all Oregon public university students on international programs. The Office of Risk Assessment reviewed many policies and determined that the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Plan (formerly Acordia Somerton Insurance Plan) provides the best coverage for the least cost to Oregon students.
Participants in OUS International Programs will be enrolled in this supplemental medical insurance administered by Wells Fargo Insurance Services. The plan is intended to supplement either students’ personal insurance policies or the national health care plan of the country in which the student is studying.
EnrollmentBack to Top
You will automatically be enrolled in the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Study Abroad Health Insurance Program for the dates of your study abroad program plus approximately one week prior and one week after your program dates.* The cost of this coverage is included in your program fee, and the coverage is only good for outside the U.S.
At the pre-departure orientation, you will receive an Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan flyer from Wells Fargo Insurance Services. For complete information, please consult the Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan brochure which can be found online here.
You will receive additional information (exact coverage dates, confirmation letter, medical ID card, a link to claim forms, and a link to the complete Accident Sickness Insurance Plan online brochure) prior to your departure by e-mail.
CoverageBack to Top
The Accident and Sickness Insurance plan includes:
- Maximum lifetime benefit per injury or sickness of $100,000 with $0 deductible
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit up to the principal sum of $10,000
- Global Emergency Services from AIG Travel Assist including guaranteed hospital admission, emergency medical evacuation, prescription assistance, and repatriation of remains (for complete information please see the Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan online brochure - see link above)
Download the 2008-09 benefit brochure here.
Exclusions
Exclusions are outlined on page seven of the online Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan brochure
NOTE: It is your responsibility to read the complete online Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan brochure for details. The brochure is available here.
Please note that the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Plan has two distinct components: medical insurance policy and global emergency assistance services. Medical insurance reimbursement claims may be filed after service and payment are rendered. Global emergency assistance services, however, must be arranged by AIG Travel Assist before services are rendered. AIG Travel Assist will not reimburse for emergency assistance services not arranged by them.
Medical Insurance Reimbursement ClaimsBack to Top
Be prepared to pay for medical care at the time of treatment. After your treatment, you must submit a claim to Health Special Risk in order to be reimbursed for eligible charges. You can find a claim form here.
Send the claim form (one claim form per incident) and a copy of the itemized bill(s) (translated into English, when possible) within 90 days from the date of injury or from the date of the first medical treatment for a sickness, to the following address. Always keep copies for your records.
HSR Plaza II
4100 Medical Parkway
Carrollton , TX 75007
Global Emergency Assistance ServicesBack to Top
AIG Travel Assist must be contacted prior to seeking emergency services; otherwise, claims will be denied. In the event that you require AIG Travel Assist services, contact AIG Travel Assistat the phone number listed on your ID card. Please read carefully the AIG Travel Assist descriptions on page 9 in the complete online Accident and Sickness Insurance brochure (see link above) and l eave a copy of that page with your parents.
Frequently Asked QuestionsBack to Top
What are the three most important things I should know regarding insurance BEFORE I leave for my program abroad?
- You should bring your medical insurance card (provided in your electronic confirmation packet which you can print) and a copy of the complete Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan brochure (found online at the link above).
- If you have a pre-existing condition, you will want to contact AIG Travel Assist to get a list of doctors and hospitals in the area where you will be located.
- You should leave a copy of your medical insurance card and complete online Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan brochure with a family member in case there is a medical emergency and your parents need to contact AIG Travel Assist or the attending physician.
What is the difference between Health Special Risk and AIG Travel Assist?
Health Special Risk is the claims paying company. If you have to go to a doctor or hospital, you will need to pay in full (cash or credit card usually), and then once you get a detailed final bill, you must submit it to Health Special Risk with a claim form to have the amount reimbursed according to the plan.
AIG Travel Assist is a travel assistance service, mostly utilized when someone is experiencing a medical EMERGENCY, (e.g., an injury needing IMMEDIATE attention, unconsciousness, severe bleeding, etc.). There are other services AIG Travel Assist provides but transport and locating hospitals and doctors is the most common. You do not need to pay AIG Travel Assist, since the fee is built into the insurance cost. NOTE: you (or someone helping you) must make arrangements through AIG Travel Assist (they have 24/7 staff answering calls). In most extreme cases, in the case of fatality, AIG Travel Assist makes arrangements for preparing and transporting the body back to the student’s home country.
What if I become sick and I’m not sure if it’s a medical emergency? Or what if I just need to be checked out by a doctor? Please call AIG Travel Assist. The operator (who is medically trained) will ask a series of questions and help you determine what to do and where to go.
What should I do if I am experiencing a mental health emergency? Please call AIG Travel Assist. The operator (who is medically trained), will ask a series of questions and help you determine what to do and where to go. If you need to see a mental health specialist, AIG Travel Assist will speak to the provider to assess further. If you need to go back home, AIG Travel Assist will arrange a medically trained escort. AIG Travel Assist is also great at communicating with a family member “back home.” Once you give AIG Travel Assist the necessary information, they’ll help coordinate everything.
If I need to come home early for medical reasons, do you refund the insurance premium or prorate it? The first three (3) months of coverage will always be recognized as fully-earned premium by the carrier and will not be refunded. If you are on a one-term or one-semester program, you will receive no refund. If you are on an academic year program, your refund will be prorated depending upon your individual circumstances. (For more information, see “Refund Policy” at the end of the “Finances” chapter of this handbook.) Please contact your OUS Program Director for details.
How do I obtain a claim form and when should I send in a claim? You can wait until returning to the U.S. or you can send the information to Health Special Risk while you are abroad. You can find a blank claim form here or by contacting Health Special Risk at 866-523-3183 (in the U.S.) or 972-512-5600 (outside the U.S.). You you have any questions regarding claims, contact Health Special Risk directly at: 1 (866) 523-3183 from outside the U.S., and 1 972-512-5600 from inside the U.S. must fill out the form in its entirety and submit a detailed bill, preferably completed by the provider in English (some providers may not do that).
What if I have a pre-existing condition and have to seek treatment? Will I have coverage? The insurance company will pay up to $1,000 of a pre-existing condition for the first six months. After six months, they will pay up to the policy limit.
Is there any dental coverage? No – accident coverage only. There is a dental expense benefit of $100 per tooth for any covered accident if you injure a sound, natural tooth.
Anything else I should know about my claims?
- If you have other insurance (through your parents or work), you need to submit that information to Health Special Risk so they can coordinate with both plans.
- If Health Special Risk sends you a letter requesting additional information, you should complete the paperwork as soon as possible to expedite payment of the claim.
Further Questions?
If you have questions regarding your coverage, please contact the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Plan office at 1-800-853-5899 (inside the U.S.) or 1-916-231-3399 (outside the U.S.) or write to studentinsurance@wellsfargois.com.
Anytime you need to contact AIG Travel Assist, please use the Policy Number of the Oregon Study Abroad Plan which is located on the insurance card and in the brochure: GLB 0009113118.