Read the insurance policy covering GeoBlue Worldwide, Washington University insurance, and International SOS. Also, review the Health and Safety page.
GeoBlue Worldwide Study Abroad Basic Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan
Semester and Academic Year Programs | Olin Global Programs will enroll all Washington University-approved study abroad students in a basic accident and sickness plan through GeoBlue Worldwide, a leading provider of international health insurance. Students will not be charged the Washington University Health & Wellness Fee for the semester abroad. The GeoBlue insurance charge will appear on the student’s Washington University billing statement within the academic semester. The cost for this insurance is approximately $250 for the semester; final charges depend on the length of the program.
Short-term Programs | Olin Global Programs will enroll study abroad students participating in Washington University short-term international programs in a basic accident and sickness plan through GeoBlue Worldwide, a leading provider of international health insurance, and bill the cost of the plan through the Washington University billing statement. Students participating in Washington University-approved summer programs will be required to enroll themselves in the Washington University GeoBlue plan and provide documentation of enrollment. Only those students participating in Washington University-approved programs that require and facilitate enrollment in a comparable international health insurance plan will be exempt from enrollment in the GeoBlue plan.
Please note: We do not recommend a reduction or suspension of existing domestic coverage in light of enrollment in GeoBlue insurance. The GeoBlue Worldwide plan does not provide domestic (United States) coverage and does not meet the University’s requirements for student health insurance. It provides basic accident and sickness coverage abroad and is a supplement to the student’s existing health insurance plan. Regardless of whether or not a provider or program offers coverage, there is no exemption from enrollment in the GeoBlue plan.
GeoBlue Coverage Period | Students will have the opportunity to extend their coverage at their own expense through GeoBlue Worldwide directly if additional overseas coverage is desired. Please remember that GeoBlue coverage is not valid within the United States.
Benefits of GeoBlue | Our primary goal is to ensure our students have adequate and consistent health insurance and healthcare access while studying abroad. The many benefits of GeoBlue Worldwide include:
- GeoBlue ensures that our students will have access to coverage overseas that will meet their medical needs including 100% coverage up to $250,000 with no deductible. This coverage is often required minimally for foreign visa applications, as well.
- GeoBlue offers direct billing to over 6000 English-speaking providers worldwide in 110 facilities in 182 countries so that students do not have to pay up front at the point of service and then get reimbursed, which can be prohibitively expensive and can delay care.
- There is an additional recommended network of approximately 15,000 providers who speak English and were trained in Western medicine.
- Students will have access to pre-departure services such as medication research to see if the medication is offered in a particular country and if so, in what doses and under what name, access to doctors abroad before they leave, including an online appointment system, a Parent site, GeoBlue advisors on call 24/7, checklists, a M(medical)Passport application for mobile devices, and videos that can be incorporated into pre-departure activities.
- GeoBlue does NOT have exclusions for care related to pre-existing conditions or drug/alcohol activities as many insurance companies do.
More details of the enrollment of Washington University’s policy with GeoBlue Worldwide will be sent directly to the student.
Washington University Health & Wellness Fee
As a reminder, students studying abroad for a semester or academic year on a Washington University-approved study abroad program will not be charged the Washington University Health & Wellness Fee during their semester abroad. Students will retain access to all services provided by Washington University Student Health Services while on the Danforth campus. If a student withdraws from the semester study abroad program and returns to their studies at Washington University for any reason, the full Washington University Health & Wellness Fee will be reapplied to the student’s billing statement for that semester.
Washington University Student Health Insurance and general requirements for health insurance coverage
The policy outlined above is in response to the overall changes to the Washington University Student Health Insurance, but does not alter in any way the University’s policy that “all full-time degree-seeking students on the Danforth are required to have health insurance.” Whether enrolled for study in St. Louis or abroad, Washington University students will either be enrolled in the Washington University Student Health Insurance plan or, as stated by Washington University Student Health Services, “students beginning the academic year in the fall will be able to begin the waiver process on July 1. The waiver option window closes on September 15.” An explanation of the waiver and further details on the Washington University United Healthcare plan are available from Student Health Services by phone at (314) 935-6666 or online at shs.wustl.edu.
Please note: The HTH Worldwide plan does not provide domestic (United States) coverage, and does not meet the University’s requirements for student health insurance. It provides adequate basic accident and sickness coverage abroad and is a supplement to the student’s existing health insurance plan.
International SOS Emergency Assistance Plan
In addition, all Washington University students are covered at no extra cost by International SOS Emergency Service Plan to provide all students, faculty, and administrators with international medical, security, and travel assistance worldwide while traveling for College-related activities. Please note this is an assistance program, NOT health insurance, and is meant to be used in tandem with existing health insurance. Students may access ISOS resources by logging into the ISOS website www.internationalsos.com using Washington University’s membership number 11BSGC000032.
Host Country or University Insurance
Some programs and countries may mandate additional insurance (i.e. France and Australia). Any additional insurance as required by a program is at the expense of the individual student.