Travelers should carefully consider personal health needs when traveling abroad, especially when they will be immersed in an unfamiliar culture and away from their everyday support systems. These resources can assist travelers in making informed pre-departure plans, mitigating health risks, and taking ownership of their wellness while abroad.
Students
Students from all U-M campuses who travel abroad on University of Michigan Related Travel (UMRT) must have U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance. UMRT may include (but is not limited to) study, research, internships, service, conferences, presentations, teaching, performances, or athletic competitions. Student insurance is currently managed by GeoBlue (Educational Plan). Some students will need to purchase travel abroad health insurance individually. For other students, the sending program / department / unit may decide to purchase travel abroad health insurance for them on their behalf. Always verify prior to departure.
Faculty/Staff
Faculty and staff traveling internationally for UMRT are covered under the University’s blanket travel abroad health insurance policy with Worldwide GeoBlue (Business Plan).
Personal/Leisure Travel
For international non-UMRT (i.e., personal/leisure travel), all students, faculty, and staff are eligible to individually purchase Worldwide GeoBlue (Leisure Plan).
Insurance Details
Find complete information about GeoBlue coverage benefits and enrollment instructions on the U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance site, managed by University Health Service. Other helpful GeoBlue resources include:
GeoBlue Student Member Guide 2022/23
GeoBlue Global Health Services Overview
GeoBlue Global Wellness Assist (telehealth mental health services through GeoBlue)
GeoBlue Global TeleHealth (telehealth consultation with a medical professional)
What is the Post-Departure Trip Interruption Benefit?
GeoBlue Post Departure Trip Insurance Benefit and Qualifications
The University of Michigan Study Abroad international health insurance coverage through GeoBlue® includes a post-departure trip interruption benefit. Post-departure trip interruption coverage provides a benefit to you if your trip is interrupted or must be discontinued for any of the following reasons:
❏ Due to a covered illness or injury that is disabling and causes a reasonable person to delay, cancel, or interrupt their trip. This benefit will reimburse for additional transportation expenses needed to reach the scheduled end point of your trip or to travel from where your trip was interrupted to where you can rejoin your trip.
❏ Due to a diagnosis with or a positive test for an infectious disease that delays your return to your home destination because of restrictions placed on travel from a possible exposure or quarantine, and as a result, you are unable to use your previously booked return travel to your home location. This benefit will reimburse you for returning home from your current location outside the U.S.
What is the coverage amount?
For the instances outlined, the benefit will pay up to the maximum amount of $2,500 per coverage year for the cost of a one-way economy class airfare ticket to reach your destination. The amounts paid will not exceed the cost of economy airfare by the most direct route on the next available carrier. Suppose you must quarantine or delay your return to meet exit/entry requirements while covered under this health insurance policy. In that case, you will be reimbursed for reasonable lodging and meal expenses incurred due to the quarantine*. The benefit will pay up to the maximum of $3,750 per coverage year and is limited to $250 per day for a maximum of 15 days per calendar year.
*GeoBlue reimburses qualified quarantine costs when the host government mandates quarantine outside of your housing. The lodging benefit does not apply if your current housing meets your host country’s quarantine or self-isolation rules. Coverage details are outlined in the GeoBlue Student Member Guide 2022/23.
What steps do you need to take advantage of this benefit and submit a claim?
❏ Ensure verification from a medical facility or medical professional demonstrates that you received a positive test for an infectious disease. This positive test must delay your return to your home destination due to restrictions placed on travel due to a possible exposure or quarantine. As a result, you cannot use your previously booked return travel to your home location.
❏ Pay outright for the expense(s) (i.e., change flight fees, reasonable meals, and hotel/accommodations), keep the receipt for proof of payment, and file a claim via the Member Hub to be reimbursed. If you are unsure if the expense is covered, please call GeoBlue’s global service center to verify and begin the claims process as stated. For full benefits and exclusions, please reference the certificate of insurance on the Member Hub.
Members will need to submit the claim form along with the following documentation for reimbursement:
❏ Doctor’s note
❏ Documentation showing positive test results
❏ Itemized invoice/receipts
❏ Proof of payment
Note: This benefit is only available to those on the GeoBlue U-M Study Abroad Plan. Any U-M student traveling for education or co-curricular purposes is eligible for the GeoBlue U-M Study Abroad Plan.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding this benefit, please contact GeoBlue. GeoBlue’s Global Service Center is available 24/7/365 at +1-844-268-2686 (if calling from inside the U.S.) or +1-610-263-2847 (if calling from outside the U.S.).
International travelers may encounter challenges that vary by academic discipline, level of education, local context, and the nature of on-site activities. Resilient Travel – Managing Stress and Enhancing your Experience Abroad is a unique U-M web resource that helps travelers think proactively about personal challenges and build skills to successfully cope with difficult situations. The Resilient Traveling toolkit includes common problems, videos of authentic student stories, practice exercises, and a confidential self-assessment that provides recommendations for support resources and coping strategies.
CDC Advice for Students: Prepare for a safe and healthy study abroad experience by following the CDC’s travel health tips for students.
CDC Travelers’ Health: Travelers are encouraged to visit the CDC Travelers’ Health website to research public health issues, vaccination requirements/recommendations, and health-related entry/exit requirements for your destination/s.
CDC Travel Health Notices: Learn about current health issues that impact travelers’ health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, or natural disasters in destinations around the world.
