International Travel Insurance and Assistance FAQs
International Travel Insurance and Assistance FAQ's
• What is the role of International SOS?
• How can International SOS help?
• How does it work?
• What do I need to do to use the program?
• What if I have pre-trip questions about my travel destination
or questions about the current status in that location?
• Do I need to activate my membership?
• What are Email Alerts?
• What if I need a doctor?
• What if I need a lawyer while overseas?
• What if I need prescription medication?
• What if I am hospitalized?
• What if local medical facilities are not adequate for
my specific requirements?
• What happens when I am released from the hospital and
still need help?
• Will International SOS pay my medical bills?
• How can International SOS assist in the event of death?
• What should I do in the event of a security emergency?
• What is security evacuation assistance and coordination?
• Are there any International SOS services that are subject
to additional fees and/or reimbursement by the traveler or GW?
• Are there any International SOS coverage exclusions?
• How do I access up-to-the-minute information about
security alerts, warnings and the latest situations?
Q: What is the role of International SOS?
A: International SOS provides you with worldwide quality health care and emergency
assistance services 24 hours a day designed to supplement and integrate with
The George Washington University’s services, procedures and policies.
You should always attempt to contact the University and/or your program’s
on-site emergency contacts first, who will assist you. If they are not available,
then proceed to contact International SOS.
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Q: How can International SOS help?
A: International SOS provides you with peace of mind. One phone call connects
you to the International SOS network of multilingual specialists for immediate
help in an emergency. International SOS services are designed to help you with
medical, personal, travel, security information and legal referrals when away
from home. Call International SOS at any time to speak with a physician or security
specialist about simple or critical matters.
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Q: How does it work?
A: You will be provided with an International SOS membership card. Carry the
International SOS membership card with you at all times. It includes the telephone
numbers of the three major worldwide International SOS Alarm Centers. In the
event of an emergency, call one of the emergency phone numbers listed on the
card.
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Q: What do I need to do to use the program?
A: In order to utilize any of the medical or travel services listed under contract,
call any SOS Alarm Center from anywhere in the world by calling directly, calling
collect or calling the toll-free number. To ensure a prompt response when calling,
you should be prepared to provide the following:
- Your name, location, age, sex, and nationality
- The program with which you are associated: The George Washington University
- Your International SOS membership number: Obtain from your membership card
- The telephone number from which you are calling (in case you are disconnected)
- Your relationship to the traveler (if the person calling is not you.)
- Name, location, and telephone number of the hospital or clinic (when applicable)
- Name, location, and telephone number for the treating doctor, and where
the doctor can be reached (when applicable)
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Q: What if I have pre-trip questions about my travel destination
or questions about the current status in that location?
A: In addition to calling the Alarm Center for any pre-trip questions you may
have, you can access Country and Security Guides from this website:
http://www.internationalsos.com
Use your membership number as your member login. The SOS comprehensive guides
provide both medical, security and general travel advice, such as information
on the standard of health care, how to pay for medical care, the availability
of medications, safety of the blood supply, embassy/visa information, dialing
code information, cultural etiquette and financial and voltage/plug information.
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Q: Do I need to activate my membership?
A: Yes, you should activate your membership by logging on to the International
SOS website (www.internationalsos.com) and storing your travel information in
your Personal Travel Record. You should log specific trip dates into your Personal
Travel Record each time you travel. Carry the card at all times while traveling.
Whenever you need service, contact one of the emergency phone numbers listed
on the back of the card. You can also create a personal on-line account with
SOS into which you can save medical, family and emergency information. Unless
you input your travel information into an account, it will not be available
for SOS staff to locate you in the event of an emergency. Medical and personal
information can only be accessed by an SOS doctor.
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Q: What are Email Alerts?
A: You have the option to sign up for Email Alerts. You can choose to sign
up for medical and/or security alerts by logging on and signing up. Medical
alerts are issued when there is an unusual health risk that, in the opinion
of the SOS Medical staff, may negatively impact travelers or expatriates visiting
a country. Security alerts are issued when SOS Security professionals have identified
a security risk in a specific country.
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Q: What if I need a doctor?
A: You should first activate the on-site emergency support network for your
location. If you are traveling, or in a situation where you cannot contact the
on-site support staff or The George Washington University, you should then contact
SOS. The International SOS Alarm Centers are listed on the back of your card.
Call the International SOS Alarm Center that is nearest to you for a referral
to a doctor who speaks your language.
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Q: What if I need a lawyer while overseas?
A: Call the nearest International SOS Alarm Center for legal referrals. If
you are in a situation where you or a student requires legal assistance, the
Office of General Counsel should be informed of this immediately.
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Q: What if I need prescription medication?
A: If you require a prescription that a local physician cannot obtain, or you
need to replace lost, stolen or depleted medication, International SOS will,
when permissible by local law, send the needed medication to you. (Additional
Fees for the Medication Apply)
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Q: What if I am hospitalized?
A: If you are in a situation or location where you cannot reach the on site
support staff (if available) or The George Washington University, call the nearest
International SOS Alarm Center. International SOS will immediately take steps
to evaluate the care you are receiving and determine what actions must be taken
to ensure your safe and speedy recovery. International SOS will notify GW immediately
if you have not already done so.
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Q: What if local medical facilities are not adequate for
my specific requirements?
A: If you are hospitalized in an area where adequate medical facilities are
not available, International SOS will obtain approval from the University to
evacuate you to a medical facility capable of providing the required care. A
physician supervises evacuations, and when necessary, a medical specialist or
nurse will accompany you during the evacuation. An air ambulance will be used
when required.
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Q: What happens when I am released from the hospital and
still need help?
A: When your condition is stabilized and International SOS has determined that
it is medically advisable to bring you home or to a facility near your permanent
residence, International SOS will again obtain approval from the University
and arrange the repatriation under medical supervision.
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Q: Will International SOS pay my medical bills?
A: After a line of credit is opened in your name, International SOS will guarantee
and pay all costs associated with your medical care. You are responsible for
the costs of medical care. International SOS will also medically monitor and
evaluate your condition and ongoing medical expenses during your hospitalization.
In situations where medical care is critical, by activating SOS you authorize
medical care as necessary, and acknowledge that you will be billed for such
care.
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Q: How can International SOS assist in the event of death?
A: International SOS will render all assistance possible to the University
to obtain clearances and arrange transportation for the return of mortal remains.
In such an event, the University will be the point of contact for the family
in this situation.
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Q: What should I do in the event of a security emergency?
A: Call an alarm center listed on the back of your membership card, and a security
specialist will assist you.
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Q: What is security evacuation assistance and coordination?
A: The SOS Security Division will assist the University in the event of threatening
situations such as civil and/or political unrest, insurrections, revolution
or similar situations by providing information, guidance and resources in the
event personal safety and security can no longer be assured.
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Q: Are there any International SOS services that are subject
to additional fees and/or reimbursement by the traveler or GW?
A: Yes, services that are subject to additional fees include emergency family
travel arrangements, emergency personal cash, and security evacuation assistance
from a country designated as “EXTREME” by International SOS. Visit
the International SOS web site to view the risk rating of the country you are
traveling to. Other services that are subject to additional fees include medical
expense guarantee, cost review & payment, medical monitoring, and the dispatch
of medication and supplies.
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Q: Are there any International SOS coverage exclusions?
A: Yes, International SOS coverage exclusions include, but are not limited
to the following: any event occurring when the Traveler is within the territory
of his/her Home Country, any expense related to an accident or injury occurring
while the Traveler is engaged in high-risk activity (i.e., caving, skydiving,
bungee-jumping, martial arts, rallying, etc.), any expense incurred as a result
of a self-inflicted injury, suicide, drug addiction or abuse, alcohol abuse,
or sexually transmitted diseases, any expense, regardless of any contributory
cause(s), involving the use of or release of the threat of any nuclear weapon
or device or chemical or biological agent, including but not limited to expenses
caused or contributed to by an act of terrorism, and more than one emergency
evacuation and/or repatriation for any single medical condition of a Traveler
during the one year term.
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Q: How do I access up-to-the-minute information about security
alerts, warnings and the latest situations?
A: You can log into the International
SOS website and view the Security Tools section.
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