The first option is through HTH Worldwide Insurance Services (HTH) with whom the University has contracted to provide comprehensive study abroad health insurance at a very reasonable price. The University has a 8-year, hands-on, positive track record with HTH. All students studying abroad are strongly encouraged to participate in the HTH Plan. Included below is a summary of benefits provided by HTH for students participating in study abroad, as well as instructions for enrolling in the HTH Plan.

The second option is with the program in which the student is enrolled. A number of the programs' centers (i.e. IES and Arcadia) offer health insurance to their enrollees. Some even make it mandatory. Students and parents are cautioned to check the benefit levels of such insurance plans to make sure that they are adequate in the event of an emergency.

The third option is to rely on an existing family health insurance plan (i.e. Blue Cross, Aetna, CAN, etc.). If this is the option of choice, it is important to confirm international coverage, including medical evacuation, with the insurance provider. It has been our observation that many HMO’s are not a good source for study abroad health insurance.

Finally, students enrolled in the Northwestern University Student Health Plan offered by the Chickering Group need not purchase any kind of additional coverage because the Chickering Plan has its own international health benefits (see the plan brochure at http://www.northwestern.edu/risk/2007-8-StudentHealthPlan.pdf).

Note: Students participating in Northwestern Summer Study Abroad Programs are required to enroll in either Chickering or HTH insurance or, if participating in the England or France programs, the insurance plan required by IES (which co-sponsors these programs). Option #3 above - relying on an existing family health insurance plan - is not an option for these students.

Regardless of which option they choose, all outbound students must complete the Study Abroad Health Insurance Coverage Form, included below. The form must be submitted to the Study Abroad Office at the mandatory pre-departure orientation, together with the other pre-departure forms. Students who fail to submit any of the required pre-departure forms will not be officially approved by Northwestern to study abroad.

1. Preventative medicines, routine physical examinations, or any other examination where there are no objective indications of impairment in normal health, including routine care of anewborn infant.
2. Services and supplies not Medically Necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of a Sickness or Injury.
3. Surgery for the correction of refractive error and services and prescriptions for eye examinations, eye glasses or contact lenses or hearing aids, except when Medically Necessary for the Treatment of an Injury.
4. Plastic or cosmetic surgery, unless they result directly from an Injury which necessitated medical treatment within 24 hours of the Accident.
5. For diagnostic investigation or medical treatment for infertility, fertility, or birth control.
6. Expenses incurred in excess of Reasonable Expenses.
7. Expenses incurred for Injury resulting from the Covered Person's being legally intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol as defined by the jurisdiction in which the Accident occurs.
8. Voluntarily using any drug, narcotic or controlled substance, unless as prescribed by a Physician.
9. Organ or tissue transplant.
10. Participating in an illegal occupation or committing or attempting to commit a felony.
11. For treatment, services, supplies, or Confinement in a Hospital owned or operated by a national government or its agencies. (This does not apply to charges the law requires the Covered Person to pay.)
12. While traveling against the advice of a Physician, while on a waiting list for a specific treatment, or when traveling for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment.
13. The diagnosis or treatment of Congenital Conditions, except for a newborn child insured under the Policy.
14. Expenses incurred within the Covered Person's Home Country.
15. Treatment to the teeth, gums, jaw or structures directly supporting the teeth, including surgical extractions of teeth, TMJ dysfunction or skeletal irregularities of one or both jaws including orthognathia and mandibuliar retrognathia.
16. Expenses incurred in connection with weak, strained or flat feet, corns or calluses.
17. Diagnosis and treatment of acne and sebaceous cyst.
18. Outpatient treatment for specified therapies including, but not limited to, Physiotherapy and acupuncture.
19. Deviated nasal septum, including submucous resection and/or surgical correction, unless treatment is due to or arises from an Injury.
20. Self-inflicted Injuries while sane or insane; suicide, or any attempt thereat while sane or insane.
21. Loss due to war, declared or undeclared; service in the armed forces of any country or international authority; riot; civil commotion; or acts of terrorism.
22. Riding in an aircraft, except as a passenger on a regularly scheduled airline or charter flight.
23. Elective termination of pregnancy.
24. Loss arising from participation in professional sports, scuba diving, hang gliding, parachuting or bungee jumping.
25. Medical Treatmnet Benefits provision for loss due to or arising from a motor vehicle Accident if the Covered Person operated the vehicle without a proper license in the jurisdiction where the Accident occurred.
26. Expenses incurred as a result of pregnancy that is not covered.