Health & Insurance

Preparation is key to staying healthy while traveling. Please refer to the information and resources listed below for preliminary guidance and follow up with a travel medicine provider prior to traveling.

Insurance

The International Travel Risk Policy requires certain minimum coverages for all students traveling internationally and encourages faculty and staff to have coverage meeting those same minimums.

As part of our commitment to our travelers, we have invested in global medical, security & emotional support assistance through International SOS that includes international medical and evacuation insurance provided through Chubb that meets or exceeds the coverage required in the International Travel Risk Policy. This program is designed to keep you healthy, safe and secure while you are traveling abroad and we strongly encourage you to take advantage of the services and online resources. Travelers are covered by the insurance automatically while on BU business, and do not need to do anything to enroll in the Chubb coverage.

Individuals traveling internationally on personal or leisure trips are NOT covered by this policy and do not have access to International SOS’s assistance services, but may have medical and evacuation insurance coverage through their personal insurance policies. If you are faculty and staff and covered under one of the BU Health Plans please contact HR at 617 353 2380, email HR@bu.edu for information on how the BU Health Plan provides coverage while you travelling internationally. If you will be travelling for a period longer than 3 months, you can visit the HR webpage on international health insurance coverage here: International Health Plan for more information on international coverage while on personal or leisure travel. Students enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan should contact the SHS Insurance Department to inquire about out-of-country health insurance for personal or leisure travel. They can be reached at (617) 353-3579, by emailing SHIP@bu.edu, or through the patient portal at patientconnect.bu.edu. Many U.S.-based health insurance plans provide some coverage for personal or leisure international travel, so check with your current health insurance provider if you are not currently covered by a BU-sponsored health insurance plan.

International SOS provides medical, security, emotional and logistical expertise to help safeguard our international travelers. So, if you lose your medication in Prague, need to see a doctor in New Delhi, misplace your passport in Rio or, in a more serious circumstance, are in a serious accident, you should immediately contact International SOS.

Travelers can conveniently dial one phone number that will connect them to the International SOS network of medical and professional service teams that operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, all over the world. International SOS will get in touch with Boston-based BU staff as needed, depending upon the situation and can even communicate with your family members.

Rest assured that no matter the problem, International SOS will give expert advice to take care of any medical or security need while you are abroad. You can contact the International SOS Assistance Center 24/7 by calling +1 215-942-8478 from anywhere in the world. Or contact them through the International SOS Assistance App available to download for free on both iOS and Android platforms. Use your bu.edu email address to log in to the International SOS Member’s Portal at https://myportal.internationalsos.com/WebPortal/Home for app download instructions, more ways to contact International SOS, and more information about the complimentary services provided by International SOS to travelers on BU-sponsored or affiliated international travel.

Travelers must maintain their US-based health insurance throughout the duration of the trip to be eligible for the international medical and evacuation coverage supplied through International SOS.

Insurance Certificates

Some countries require a certificate proving that a prospective visitor has adequate international medical and evacuation insurance as part of the visa application process. If you require an insurance certificate, please email GlobalHSS@bu.edu with your request and the Health, Safety & Security team will assist you. Insurance certificates take approximately two weeks to produce so plan accordingly.

Residing Abroad

If you are a Boston University faculty, staff member, or student who is residing abroad for a period longer than 365 days, you should enroll in an out-of-country health insurance plan. Coverages listed above are limited to periods less than 365 days.

If you are a Boston University employee on one of the BU employee health plans, please contact HR at (617) 353-2380, email HR@bu.edu, or visit their webpage on international health insurance coverage here: International Health Plan for more information on available options.

Boston University students enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan should contact the SHS Insurance Department to inquire about out-of-country health insurance. They can be reached at (617) 353-3579, by emailing SHIP@bu.edu, or through the patient portal at patientconnect.bu.edu.

Most U.S.-based health insurance plans have an out-of-country option, so check with your current health insurance provider if you are not currently covered by a BU-sponsored health insurance plan

Wellness Checks and Immunizations

The Travel Clinic at Boston Medical Center, as well as numerous other travel clinics in the Boston area, provides both pre- and post-travel medical services, including:

advice and counseling on disease prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment
advice on special issues such as medical care abroad, altitude sickness, and jet lag
itinerary-specific immunizations

Please be sure to make an appointment four or more weeks in advance of travel.

Traveling with Medication

Several common U.S. medications are illegal in other countries. Be aware of your destination’s restrictions on medications. Common restrictions include:

Narcotics and psychotropic medications (e.g. Adderall and Ambien)
Hormone medications (e.g. birth control pills, hormone therapy medication)
Certain ingredients (e.g. diphenhydramine HCI, found in Tylenol PM) or quantities

The ISOS Assistance Center can provide information on the legality and availability of specific medications at your destination. They can also suggest possible alternatives to speak to your health care provider about. The U.S. embassy website of your destination country will also provide information on the legality of most medications. If any of your medications are on the list of restricted items, talk with your health care providers about possible alternatives that are legally permitted and readily available at your destination.

Establishing Continuity of Care Before Traveling

If you receive ongoing treatment or medication for any chronic medical or mental health condition(s) the ISOS Medical Team can help you ensure continuity of care while you are on your trip. Contact the ISOS Assistance Center and they will connect you to an ISOS doctor or nurse practitioner that can help you set up any reoccurring appointments or prescription refills necessary.