Health Insurance Information for the International Field Program
Health Insurance Options
Option 1: Worldwide coverage provided by The New School Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan (Aetna). The New School Student Health Plan (Aetna) provides worldwide coverage, as well as Emergency Travel Assistance Services, through On Call International. Emergency Travel Assistance Services (available 100+ miles off campus) are covered 100% as long as services are coordinated through On Call International.
When You Receive Treatment Outside the United States: Most providers outside U.S. will not file a medical claim for you. In that case, you will need to pay the provider in full for your treatment and then file a claim with Aetna Student Health.
Step 1 - Get itemized medical bill from provider (in English). The bill should include:
- Full name and address of the provider
- Date services were provided
- Detailed listing with separate charges for each service provided
- A notation that you paid the bill in full (This is very important so that we'll know to send any payment to you, not to the provider.)
- Student's name
- Patient's name (This is especially important if the patient is the student's spouse or dependent.)
- School name
- Student's identification number
Step 2 - Send the itemized bill to -
Aetna Student Health
PO Box 981106
El Paso, TX. 79998
Step 3 - Aetna will process claim according to the benefits and other plan provisions of your university student health insurance plan.
Aetna's instructions for filing a foreign claim and FAQ's here.
How to Use Emergency Travel Assistance Services
When you are traveling 100+ miles from home, you should contact On Call International to access your health insurance. Agents are available to help you through your travel-related emergency 24 hours a day, 365 days a week. Contact On Call International at 866-525-1956 or call collect at 603-328-1956. Be sure to:
-
Carry your Aetna Student Health/On Call International card at all times when traveling. On Call ID cards can be printed from your Aetna member benefits page: www.aetnastudenthealth.com
Call the phone numbers on the front of your ID card for assistance while traveling.
Coordinate all services through On Call International.
Services Provided Through On Call International
Medical Evacuation and Repatriation (MER) Benefits: These benefits are designed to assist Covered Persons when traveling more than 100 miles from home, anywhere in the world.
- Unlimited Emergency Medical Evacuation
- Unlimited Medically Supervised Repatriation (while traveling or on campus)
- Unlimited Return of Mortal Remains (while traveling or on campus)
- Return of Traveling Companion
- $2,500 Emergency Return Home in the event of death or life-threatening illness of a parent or sibling
On Call provides the following Worldwide Emergency Travel Assistance (WETA) services:
- 24/7 Emergency Travel Arrangements
- Translation Assistance
- Emergency Travel Funds Assistance
- Lost Luggage and Travel Documents Assistance
- Assistance with Replacement of Credit Card/Travelers Checks
- Medical/Dental/Pharmacy Referral Service
- Hospital Deposit Arrangements
- Dispatch of Physician
- Emergency Medical Record Assistance
View the full description of covered services (pdf).
To Obtain Benefits: To obtain MER and WETA benefits/services, or for any questions related to those benefits/services, please call On Call International at the following numbers listed on the On Call ID card provided to Covered Persons when they enroll in the Plan: Toll Free 1- (866) 525-1956 or collect 1-(603) 328-1956. All Covered Persons should carry their On Call ID cards when traveling. On Call ID cards can be printed from your Aetna member benefits page.
Links to additional information:
See the Student Accident & Sickness Insurance Program brochure here.
The New School Student Health Plan highlights and FAQs from Student Health Services.
Aetna provides information about The New School plan, which can be viewed here. (Or, from the Aetna homepage, click on "Find Your School," then enter New School or 812804 under Policy Number).
Option 2: Coverage provided by an existing personal health plan (e.g., Blue Cross, Cigna, GHI, etc.). It is your responsibility to investigate which plan (or combination of plans) will best meet your health needs. Be sure to investigate early as some plans will not cover you if you have an existing condition.
Travel Health Insurance Plans - The following are among insurance companies that offer travel health insurance for students studying or traveling abroad. Although we do not endorse or recommend any company, this is a helpful resource. There are other companies out there, so be sure to do your own research.
| Academic Risk Management | 888-308-7320 | www.academichealthplans.com | Medical |
| BETA (Basic Emergency Travel Assistance) | 866-552-8834 | www.betins.com | Medical |
| Collegiate Risk Management | 800-922-3420 | www.collegiaterisk.com/inthealth.html | Medical |
| CMI Insurance Specialists: Global Medical USA | 800-677-7887 | www.cmi-insurance.com | Medical |
| The Gateway Plans | 800-282-4495 | www.gatewayplans.com | Medical |
| The Harbour Group | 800-252-8160 | www.hginsurance.com | Medical |
| HTH Worldwide | 888-350-2002 | www.hthstudents.com/healthinsurance.cfm | Medical |
| International Student Insurance | 877-328-1565 | www.internationalstudentinsurance.com | Medical, Dental |
| International Student Organization | 800-244-1180 | www.isoa.org | Medical, Dental |
| ISIS Incoming Insurance | 800-247-5575 | www.isis-travelinsurance.com | Medical |
| MEDEX | 800-527-0218 | www.medexassist.com | Medical |
| Wallach & Company, Inc. | 800-237-6615 | www.wallach.com | Medical |
Tips to Remember When Searching for Health Insurance:
Pre-Existing Conditions: A physical or mental condition recognized, diagnosed, and/or treated for a defined amount of time immediately prior to entering a new plan. If you make a claim during the first year of coverage, the plan may "look back" to see whether it was for such a condition. If so, the carrier may try to exclude coverage for services related to that condition. Each carrier has their own policies and procedures for pre-existing conditions; you will need to inquire when contacting the company for coverage.
Limited or Excluded Services: Medical conditions or treatments that provide limited coverage or are not covered by insurance carrier. Review policy to make sure it will cover services that best fit your needs. Many people make the incorrect assumption that every healthcare service is fully covered.
What is cost: When purchasing a health plan consider the amount of money you expect to spend. Evaluate policy cost policy in relation to your healthcare needs, considering: premium payment, deductible, co-pay, co-insurance, covered medical expenses, exclusions, and pre-existing policies and procedures.
What healthcare providers are covered: Investigate what doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers are covered under the plan.
When seeking enrollment from any type of insurance carrier: Ask to review full benefit package prior to making a commitment. Fully understanding your policy is your responsibility. Make sure plans offer coverage for your immediate and anticipated healthcare needs. Verify coverage is provided for chronic health conditions or disabilities you may have.
Student Health Services
135 E. 12th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10003
212-229-1671, Option 3
For questions regarding the Waiver or Enrollment process:
University Health Plans
One Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02169-7454
800-437-6448
For questions regarding Insurance Benefits, Claims Processing, and ID Cards (including lost ID Cards):
Aetna Student Health
One Charles Park
Cambridge, MA 02142-1254
877-480-4161
For questions regarding Aetna's Emergency Travel Assistance Services:
On Call International
866-525-1956 (within U.S.)
If outside the U.S., call collect, 603-328-1956