Insurance Abroad
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT
The University of California requires all registered UC students to have a qualified US health insurance policy (campus student health insurance or a private plan) regardless of the study location. As a UC student, you are responsible for either:
- Paying the required campus health insurance fee to your UC campus
- Obtaining a health insurance waiver from your UC campus within the published waiver deadlines.
Consult your campus insurance or registration office if you have questions.
Coverage for Travel Vaccinations
The student travel insurance policy does not cover vaccinations or most other preventative care. If you are covered by a campus student health insurance plan, get vaccines while eligible, as many travel vaccines are covered. Contact your campus student health insurance office.
STUDENT TRAVEL INSURANCE
This section provides information about the travel insurance policy for UCEAP participants. It is a brief description of the coverage available and is not an insurance contract. The terms and conditions of coverage are detailed in Master Policy #ADDN04834823, underwritten by ACE American Insurance Company, a member of the Chubb group, under Form #AH-15090, and issued on behalf of UC. If there are any differences between this section and the policy, the policy will govern.
Highlights
- All eligible UCEAP participants are automatically enrolled in a travel insurance policy. This is supplemental to US health insurance and cannot be voluntarily waived.
- The policy includes medical and limited non-medical benefits, including Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), personal property, and security evacuation. Review the policy documents for coverage and benefit information.
- The policy provides primary medical coverage for accidents and illnesses when traveling outside the US during the eligibility period.
- Covered medical expenses will be 100 percent reimbursed ($0 deductible/$0 copay), subject to policy limitations and exclusions.
- Preventive care, including vaccinations, is not a benefit included in the travel insurance policy.
- Most foreign healthcare providers will not bill US insurance companies directly for services rendered.
- Be prepared to pay for medical treatment at the time of service and then file a claim for reimbursement.
Medical Benefits
The travel insurance does not include coverage for preventive care, checkups, and vaccinations. This policy, like all travel insurance policies, also comes with a list of exclusions that you should carefully review. Understanding what is not covered by the policy is even more important than knowing what is covered.
To review the list of exclusions, refer to the travel insurance brochure. To see an overview of your benefits, look at Benefits at a Glance.
If you have questions about the policy, email the claims administrator, Administrative Concepts, Inc. (ACI), at intlassist@acitpa.com.
Emergency Medical Assistance
During a medical emergency, call emergency services or go immediately to the closest emergency room. If you do not know where to go, call the local UCEAP representative or host institution’s 24/7 emergency number or call the emergency assistance provider at the number specified on the insurance contact card. The assistance provider may be able to provide billing assistance under certain circumstances, but you should be prepared to pay upfront and file a claim for reimbursement consideration.
Coverage for COVID-19
COVID-19 is treated like any other covered sickness and is subject to the policy terms and conditions. If you experience symptoms of an illness while traveling overseas, you should seek medical care. Expenses resulting from medically necessary treatment will be considered for reimbursement according to the policy rules and exclusions. Contact the claims administrator, Administrative Concepts, Inc. (ACI), with questions about travel insurance policy benefits:
- Email: intlassist@acitpa.com
- Phone: 888-293-9229 (in the US) or +1610 293 9229 (outside the US)
- UCEAP policy number: ADDN04834823
Non-Medical Benefits
The travel insurance policy provides limited non-medical benefits. The following are categories of non-medical benefits, but consult the policy for comprehensive benefits, limitations, and exclusions. If there are any differences between this brochure and the policy, the policy will govern.
- Limited Personal Property Insurance: You must file a police report within 24 hours of the loss. There is a $25 deductible, and only the depreciated value of the item is considered for reimbursement. Other limitations apply.
- Emergency Family Reunion Benefit
- Emergency Medical/Security Evacuation
- Repatriation of Remains
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment
- Quarantine Benefit: This applies to covered expenses incurred from mandatory government or medical quarantine when you have or are suspected of having a contagious disease. Arrival quarantines are excluded from this benefit.
- Trip Cancelation, Interruption, and Delay: This applies to travel to/from the US to your program country or region at the beginning and end of your program period when your trip is canceled, interrupted, or delayed due to covered reasons. Other limitations apply.
Contact Card
Print the travel insurance contact card before you leave the US, and always keep a copy with you while you are abroad on UCEAP. The card includes information needed to file a claim or receive emergency assistance. Unlike insurance cards in the US, it cannot be handed over in lieu of payment like insurance cards in the US. It is a contact card only.
Extending Coverage
If you plan on traveling before or after your program, you can purchase an extension of your travel insurance in 30-day increments for a maximum of three months. The cost of extending the travel insurance is your responsibility and is currently $55.00 per month. The coverage is similar to, but not exactly the same as, the student travel insurance during the program. To purchase an extension of coverage, go to the ACI secure website. You must purchase the extension before departure from the US for pre-program coverage or three days before your UCEAP program ends for post-program coverage. You will not be able to purchase an extension until UCEAP has enrolled you in the travel insurance program. This will happen three to six weeks before the required arrival date. If you will be traveling abroad before that time, contact the UCEAP travel insurance liaison for assistance.
Coverage for Dependents
If you are traveling with dependents, ensure they have adequate insurance while abroad, including coverage for accidents and illnesses, evacuations, and repatriation. You can purchase coverage for eligible dependents online through the ACI secure website. You will not be able to purchase coverage for a dependent until UCEAP has enrolled you in the travel insurance program. This will happen three to six weeks before the program start date.
Direct questions about extending coverage and coverage for dependents to the UCEAP travel insurance liaison.
Insurance Claims and Reimbursement
In most locations, foreign medical providers cannot predetermine coverage or bill a US insurance company. You must be prepared to pay for medical services at the time of treatment. Some locations require cash payments, while others may accept a credit card. Even if you are not charged at the time of service, you are responsible for paying bills for medical services before you leave the country.
Medical Claims
After you receive and pay for eligible medical treatment, submit a claim for reimbursement consideration to the insurance claims administrator, ACI, using one of several methods described in the Claim Guide for Students.
Whether you submit a medical claim through the secure online portal or through email, you must include scanned copies of paid invoices and receipts for medications and services. Copies of medical records may also be required in some cases.
Pharmacy receipts must include the fill date, prescription number, medication name, dosage, quantity, prescriber name, patient name, and amount paid. A cash register receipt is not sufficient.
Non-Medical Claims
If you want to file a claim for personal property loss, trip interruption, cancelation, or delay, you must follow the non-medical claim process. Fill out a paper claim form linked in the non-medical claim process document and submit it through email.
Reimbursement
ACI may take up to 20 business days to evaluate a claim. Missing documentation may further delay a reimbursement to check claim status, or for additional questions about claims, contact ACI directly at intlassist@acitpa.com.
OPTIONAL INSURANCE
Renters’ Insurance
The travel insurance policy provides limited coverage for your personal valuables. It is your responsibility to protect your personal property.
While not mandatory, UC recommends that you consider purchasing renters' insurance. You may purchase renters’ insurance from any source.
Tuition Insurance
The travel insurance plan for UCEAP participants does not cover tuition losses if you must cancel or withdraw from your program. While not mandatory, UC recommends that you consider purchasing tuition insurance to protect yourself financially in the event of a medical withdrawal or other covered reason. You may purchase tuition insurance from any source.
Liability Insurance
The travel insurance plan for UCEAP students does not provide legal or personal liability insurance coverage. Personal liability insurance is not mandatory but strongly recommended. It insures you against costs you are liable for if you cause damage to someone else or their possessions (e.g., in your homestay or apartment).
NATIONAL OR HOST UNIVERSITY INSURANCE
Some programs may require you to carry health or other insurance to be eligible for a student visa or to comply with host university requirements. Find out more in the Insurance section, under Predeparture, of the UCEAP Portal.