<p>Older son is planning to travel during May on a study abroad trip to Africa. I'm hoping you wise folk will have some insights into what w/he need to do to get him set to go. I'm especially wondering about health insurance - we have Blue Cross/Blue Shield HMO; he is a full time student; is he insured for overseas travel? Should we purchase this extra insurance offered through a link on one of the application insurance forms? </p>
<p>What vaccinations are necessary? How far in advance should they be administered?</p>
<p>Any advice on best airlines? Do the programs usually provide reliable travel agents or do the students (and families) usually do that leg work? And so forth.</p>
<p>Son is doing most of the leg work but has asked for help with the insurance end of things; I, being the mombat that I am, want to double check on all the vaccination parts to make sure all is done properly and in a timely fashion. I also would not mind being very clear (behind the scenes mostly) about what all needs to be accomplished to make the trip successful, while allowing young man to do most of the planning on his own. I figure if I know some of the details I can know if some ball is being dropped and possibly tap it back into play or at least point him towards the thing and make sure he notices it needs tapping.</p>
<p>We (DS) got DS life insurance,not that he needs it, but because there are foreign travel exclusion clauses that prevents getting insurance at the best rates, if at all. </p>
<p>We (DS) also bought local BX/BS insurance for the worldwide coverage (India) and again to insure the chance of any exclusion. </p>
<p>We (DS ) also bought travel/evacuation insurance really as a supplemental insurance. </p>
<p>It boils down to the concept that if you already have insurance, then you will be economically protected. But if you do not have insurance and later contract something, too bad, your loss, you took the risk.</p>
<p>I have no experience with, iNext. We (DS), through my insistence, obtained these insurances, even though he is working for as a intern for Microsoft and the University of Toronto. The cost is relative minor compared to the risk and to the wage he receives.</p>
<p>I have always been told our Blue plan included coverage around the world, but you would want to check about the out of network gotcha you could suffer! Ask you agent about that.</p>
<p>Thisoldman, what's BX/BS insurance? And did you purchase the travel/evac insurance through the airlines or through your medical insurance company?</p>
<p>International SOS is well respected and not too expensive for emergency medical evacuation insurance. My former employer used them and I bought a membership for my daughter's trip to Bolivia last summer. thankfully, she did not need it, even when she came down with typhoid fever.</p>
<p>My daughter went to a travel clinic for immunizations before her trip to Africa and again before she went to China. They did a good job of giving her the whole scoop on what was important. Africa is a big country and the immunization recommendations will be country specific. When she did a study abroad in Peru (yes, this girl likes to travel) she got a great rate on insurance just for students studying abroad through her college.</p>
<p>start with a call to your current insurance provider. Always record names/dates. Check your current plan booklet. As others have mentioned there are several options to consider. Look first to what you have and then see where you need to enhance the coverage with additional protection. the emergency travel/evacuation coverage is a good idea as most domestic plans offer very limited, if at all,</p>
<p>Check and see what the school has to offer or suggest. The best thing is you are looking now rather than later. good luck.</p>
<p>What country are we talking about here? And even within that country, are we talking major cities or remote areas? The CDC website is indeed a good resource.</p>
<p>My D went to Shanghai, and did not take any vaccines. She did travel a lot within China, and never had to see a doctor. We did send her with lots of anti-diarrhoeal meds, anti-inflammatory meds, anti-histamines, bug sprays and then the usual Advil, Tylenol. Besides a few Immodium, everything came back intact.</p>
<p>Obviously, she could have just been very lucky.</p>
<p>We started out by calling Aetna here in the U.S. MULTIPLE times to make sure we got consistent answers, and that's a good starting place for you.</p>
<p>From what I have read/heard, even the best insurance plans, PPO and POS do not cover small stuff abroad. For most minor health issues, one would get treated, pay upfront and forget about it. Health care at that level is very inexpensive in most 3rd world countries.</p>
<p>On the other hand, true medical emergencies are covered by even the worst plans. Breaking an arm, appendicitis, vomiting blood, etc. would warrant an immediate visit to an ER facility. That would be covered to varying degrees, but usually 100% after a deductible.</p>
<p>The problem in developing countries is not getting the care paid for by your insurance company. The problem is that you would not want your kid to receive care there. Believe me, even in major cities in poorer countries, the medical standards are far below what we would expect. In africa, I believe the only place where we would find "western" standards of care (i.e. IV sets that are not re-used etc.) would be major cities in S. Africa and perhaps Egypt. </p>
<p>This is why companies sell medical evacuation insurance. Let us say, for example, that kid is in a motor vehicle accident with serious injuries. The medevac insurance would coordinate emergency care locally then evacuate the kid to a facility with suitable care. </p>
<p>The alternative is to have a credit limit on one's charge card of a few tens of thousands of dollars - air ambulances are not cheap, and one's stateside medical policy will almost never cover the expense . In fact, if anyone knows of a policy that does, I would like to know. </p>
<p>Is it necessary? Depends on your risk tolerance, I suppose, and what the kid plans to do. But accidents happen, and the risk is actually greater in developing countries, whether motor vehicle, rail or air. The standards are just lower.</p>
<p>We have Aetna and found out that they would cover d in Europe ONLY at ERs and she would have to pay 100% upfront costs and we would have to submit the charges for reimbursement. Mizzou recommended overseas health coverage for their study abroad students and we purchased it. She is fully covered, it was VERY reasonable($135 for the semester!)and we don't have to worry. Check with what your univ. recommends.</p>
<p>Re: Health insurance. I'm covered through a parent's plan, but while abroad, was advised by my program + others (including a financial advisor) to purchase travel insurance through STA. My mom handled those details and I haven't yet had to test them...all I know is that the company + the policy came well-recommended! My needs were rather unique--many countries over a fairly long period of time--but I don't know how (or if) they affected our choice of insurance. Mizzou-mom definitely cites a lower rate. </p>
<p>My physician knew which immunizations were required for which countries, so I was able to list my destinations and get shots on the spot. The only 'surprise' was typhoid, which I think was for S. Africa + Namibia. The shot would have been less expensive at a travel clinic, but was available at the physician's office. Best to inquire early in case any of the immunizations come in multiple parts. </p>
<p>Depending on what agents/info the program provides, I also recommend looking at STA for flight options. I've had good luck with them. </p>
<p>To echo mizzou-mom, have your son run these questions by the Study Abroad office of his school. They've dealt with the issues before and are likely to have (or be able to direct him towards) some useful info or resources. </p>
<p>Good luck to your son...hope he has a wonderful trip!</p>
<p>BX/BS=Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The purpose for the Bx/BS was multifold, 1) he was coming off our insurance 2) he needed insurance anyway, 3) that incase in got back to US with sometype of aliment, that the insurance would cover that aliment. and 4) Portability in the US. Reason #3 is the primary reason for the medical insurance. Its not that India doesn't have good doctors or hospitals (he has been visiting schools and health clinics in India for MS), It is the worry that US insurance would call the aliment as "pre-exisiting" when he got back to US. Also when he finds a permanent position, he could take a consultancy or a position with a probationary period where he would not have insurance for a prolonged period. </p>
<p>The travel insurance is from a company of AIG ( Fortis) and was from the agent across the hall from me. He also recommended BX/BS which is across the street.</p>
<p>When son was in Toronto, the Indian Embassy/Consulate said upto 6 weeks. They recommended the California consulate, which took 1 week with express mail.</p>
<p>Having been through this with d, I would recommend you start nagging now. They tend to get to it "later" and then you could be sweating the timetables! The sooner the better! Good luck to your son!!</p>
<p>Before your son leaves, be sure to get an international student id card Student</a> Travel Information & Discounts - ISIC International Student Identity Card: Welcome
For a nominal fee, they offer overseas insurance as well as museum and cultural event discounts. I also purchased supplemental computer and cel phone insurance. Also, there is a student American Express card available that also has emergency cash, evacuation and stolen passport aid.</p>