Information regarding Health Insurance for Study Abroad Students

Study Abroad Health Insurance

The safety and well being of students participating in Northwestern University Study Abroad programs is of paramount importance. To best meet the medical needs of those who study abroad, Northwestern University requires all students to obtain health insurance that will cover them in the country where studies occur. There are a number of resources for study abroad health insurance. Students and parents should research the various options and determine which will be most effective for the program in which the student is enrolled.

Questions? Contact Chris Johnson, Northwestern University Director of Risk Management, at (847) 491-8518 or via e-mail at cljohnson@northwestern.edu.

Option 1: HTH Insurance
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 4-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 an instructions for enrolling in the HTH Plan.

All students on the following programs are required to purchase HTH insurance:

Any program run by the Office of International Program Development, including exchange programs
Any Northwestern-run Summer Study Abroad program
Royal Academy of Music
London School of Economics

Option 2: Insurance Offered through the Study Abroad Program
The second option is with the program in which the student is enrolled. A number of study abroad programs (e.g. 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.

Option 3: Existing Insurance
The third option is to rely on an existing family health insurance plan (e.g. 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.

Option 4: Chickering Plan
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/2005-6-StudentHealthPlan.pdf).

University of Otago Applicants
Northwestern students applying to the University of Otago: you are required to purchase the Studentsafe-University plan, available directly through the University of Otago (http://www.otago.ac.nz/international/healthcare.html#medical). New Zealand universities are subject to very stringent regulations about the level and type of student insurance acceptable (as per the government's Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International students, mandated by the New Zealand government for all education institutions in NZ).

Students who have been accepted to Otago must sign up for Studentsafe-University on the commitment form that Otago sends in the "letter of offer" packs, and Otago will then directly enroll them in the plan. Students on this plan will be fully insured before they leave home, although they do not pay their premium until they arrive in Dunedin. Insurance cover begins the moment they leave home to travel to Dunedin, providing that their journey takes place within 31 days of the start of the course they have enrolled for. Following the above requirements will ensure that the students are fully compliant with the NZ Government's requirements.

Regardless of which option they choose, all outbound students must complete the Study Abroad Health Insurance Coverage Form. 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.

Northwestern University
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

Information on

HTH WORLDWIDE
International Assistance,
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
Accident and Sickness Insurance

Group No. 545

Administered By:

HTH Worldwide Insurance Services
One Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
Phone: (888) 243-2358 Toll-free
FAX: (610) 254-8797

In the event of an emergency, please consult your HTH Identification Card for the appropriate toll-free access number.

This is brief summary of the features for insured participants. For complete details, please refer to the Certificate of Insurance. Enrollment instructions are included at the end of the summary.

MEDICAL EXPENSE BENEFIT
If while insured a Covered Person incurs expenses due to an injury or sickness as defined in this policy, the company will pay the Reasonable Charges for the Covered Expenses listed below. All Covered Expenses incurred as a result of the same or related cause (including any complications) shall be considered as resulting from one Sickness or Injury. The amount payable for any one Sickness or Injury will not exceed a maximum benefit limit of $250,000 subject to the deductible amount and co-payment levels. The expenses must be incurred within 52 weeks of the date of Injury or commencement of Sickness, and the Covered person must remain continuously insured.

Deductible Amount. The deductible is the dollar amount of Covered Expenses that must be incurred as an out-of-pocket expense by each Covered Person on a per injury or sickness basis before certain benefits are payable under the policy. The Basic Medical deductible is $50 per Injury or Illness.

COVERED MEDICAL EXPENSES

Fees for diagnosis and treatment by a legally qualified physician, surgeon, registered nurse, professional anesthetist, or radiologist (after deductible).
Infirmary and Hospital room and board charges which includes all general nursing charges. Payment will be limited to the Hospital's normal charge for semi-private accommodation. Intensive Care Unit charges will be covered (after deductible).
Laboratory, diagnostic and X-ray examinations (after deductible).
Drugs and medicines which require a physician's written prescription, and which can only be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist, are reimbursed at 50% of actual charges.
Expenses incurred for treatment of nervous or mental disorders. Benefits are payable a) up to $500 for outpatient treatment or b) up to $5,000 for an inpatient basis. The company shall not be liable for more than one such inpatient or outpatient occurrence with respect to any insured.
Rental charge for Durable Medical Equipment, or the purchase of this equipment, whichever is less.
Professional ambulance service to the nearest hospital up to $350.
Expenses incurred for treatment of specified therapies, including acupuncture and physiotherapy up to $2,500 on an in-patient basis. Physiotherapy means a physical or mechanical therapy, diathermy, ultrasonic, heat treatment in any form, manipulation or massage.
Expenses incurred for treatment of sports related accidents resulting from interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, club or professional sports are payable up to $5,000.
Covered medical expenses incurred for treatment of injuries sustained as the result of a covered motor vehicle accident.

REPATRIATION - Unlimited
If a covered person dies, the Company will pay the necessary expenses for repatriation of the Covered Person's remains to the person's home country or country of regular domicile. This benefit covers the legal minimum requirements for the transportation of the remains, but does not include the transportation of anyone accompanying the body or visitation or funeral expenses. Any expenses with respect to repatriation requires prior approval of the Company.

MEDICAL EVACUATION – Unlimited
If a Covered Person sustains an injury or suffers a sudden sickness, the Company will pay the necessary expenses for a medical evacuation to the nearest hospital, appropriate medical facility or back to the Covered Person's home country or country of regular domicile. However, before the Company makes the payment, the Company will require written certification by the attending physician that the evacuation is medically necessary. Any expenses with respect to medical evacuation require the Company's prior approval.

Additional Benefits:
Return of Dependent Children
If a Covered Member is traveling with dependent children(s), and such dependent children(s) would be left unattended because of the hospitalization of the Covered Member, HTH Worldwide shall arrange and pay for the return of such dependent children(s) to the Covered Member's primary place of residence, via the most direct route on economy class airfare. If necessary, HTH Worldwide shall also arrange for the transportation and costs for a qualified attendant to accompany the dependent children.

Return of Traveling Companion
If a Covered Member's traveling companion has lost previously made travel arrangements due to a delay caused by the Covered Member's hospitalization, HTH Worldwide shall arrange and pay for, the return of such traveling companion to his/her primary place of residence via the most direct route on economy class airfare. A traveling companion is defined as a person with whom the Covered Member is booked to share the same itinerary.

NOTICE OF CLAIM
Written notice of any event that may lead to a claim under the Policy must be given to the Company within 30 days after the event, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible.

GENERAL POLICY EXCLUSIONS

Preventative medicines, routine physical examinations, or any other examination where there are no objective indications of impairment in normal health, including routine care of a newborn infant.
Services and supplies not Medically Necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of a Sickness or Injury.
Surgery for the correction of refractive error and services and prescriptions for eye examinations, eyeglasses or contact lenses or hearing aids, except when Medically Necessary for the Treatment of an Injury.
Plastic or cosmetic surgery, unless they result directly from an injury which necessitated medical treatment within 24 hours of the Accident.
For diagnostic investigation or medical treatment for infertility, fertility, or birth control.
Expenses occurred in excess of Reasonable Expenses.
Expenses incurred for Injury resulting from the Covered Perosn’s being legally intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol as defined by the jurisdiction in which the accident occurs.
Voluntary using of any drug, narcotic or contolled substance, unless prescribed by a Physician.
Organ or tissue transplant.
Participating in an illegal occupation or committing or attempting to commit a felony.
For treatment, services, supplies, or Confinement in a hospital owned or operated by a national govenrment or its agencies (This does not apply to charges the law requires the Covered Person to pay).
While traveling against the advice of a Phsycian, while on a waiting list for a specific treatment, or when traveling for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment.
The diagnosis or treatment of Congenital Conditions, except for a newborn child insured under the Policy.
Expenses incurred within the Covered Person's home country.
Treatment to the teeth, gums, jaw or structures directly supporting the teeth, including surgical extraction’s of teeth, TMJ, dysfunction or skeletal irregularities of one or both jaws including orthognathia and mandibular retrognathia.
Expenses incurred in connection with weak, strained or flat feet, corns or calluses.
Diagnosis and treatment of acne and sebaceous cyst.
Outpatient treatment for specified therapies including, but not limited to, Physiotherapy and Acupuncture.
Deviated nasal septum, including submucous resection and/or surgical correction, unless treatment is due to or arises from an Injury.
Self-inflicted injuries while sane or insane; suicide, or any attempt thereat while sane or insane.
Loss to due to war, declared or undeclared; service in the armed forces of any country or international authority; riot; civil commotion; or acts of terrorism.
Riding in any aircraft, except as a passenger on a regularly scheduled airline or charter flight.
Elective termination of pregnancy.
Loss arising from participation in professional sports, scuba diving, hang gliding, parachuting or bungee jumping.
Medical Treatment 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.
Expenses incurred as a result of pregnancy that is not covered.

NB: Students should request a Current Certificate of Coverage from HTH to receive the most up-to-date information regarding the Policy and its exclusions.

ENROLLMENT PROCEDURE FOR HTH WORLDWIDE INSURANCE
Enrollment is online at the HTH website:
https://www.hthstudents.com/ge.cfm?ac=ACF-154

As of the 2007–2008 academic year, the cost of the HTH plan is $6.36 per week (or partial week) effective June 1, 2008 for the student participant. Please note that HTH coverage is not designed to substitute for any domestic health plan in which a student is enrolled. Rather, it is meant to be supplemental to a domestic health plan, and it only provides coverage for a student when s/he is outside the United States. Because HTH does not provide coverage for students who return to the United States, it is essential that domestic health plans that do provide such coverage in the U.S. remain in effect.

Upon completion of the online enrollment process, students will be able to print out a receipt that shows proof of the transaction. Registration with HTH will be processed within 48 hours. At that time, you will receive email confirmation from HTH, including your ID number, that will allow you to access the HTH website and print your ID card.

Don't forget to register for the HTH Students site once you receive your Certificate Number from HTH (it will be on your ID card). You'll receive free access to valuable web tools to help you keep track of your insurance plan and stay healthy and safe during your international study program. By registering, you can use the HTH Students site to:

Review your insurance benefits
Find a doctor outside the U.S.
Schedule doctor appointments online.
Print a claim reimbursement form.
Get HTH’s Global Health & Safety Databases online and from your mobile device.
Access discount programs and services through Rewards Worldwide
Research vaccination and health risk information
Review health and security news from around the globe
Sign up to receive personalized news alerts by email
Choose from dozens of articles on student health topics--and more!

Questions can be directed to Chris Johnson, Director of Risk Management, at (847) 491-8518 or via e-mail at cljohnson@northwestern.edu.

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