Preparation is key to staying healthy while traveling. Please refer to the information and resources listed below for preliminary guidance and follow up with a travel medicine provider prior to traveling.

As part of its commitment to its travelers, Boston University offers international medical, security & emotional support assistance through International SOS. This program is designed to ensure your health, safety and security while traveling abroad on Boston University-sponsored or affiliated travel. We strongly encourage you to utilize the full range of available services and online resources.

International SOS provides medical, security, emotional and logistical support to Boston University international travelers. So, if you lose your medication in Prague, need to see a doctor in New Delhi, misplace your passport in Rio or face a more serious circumstance, you should contact International SOS immediately for assistance.

Travelers can conveniently dial one phone number that will connect them to the International SOS network that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, all over the world. International SOS will get in touch with Boston-based University staff as needed, depending upon the situation and will communicate with your family members as necessary.

Contact the International SOS Assistance Center 24/7 by calling +1 215-942-8478 from anywhere in the world. Or contact them through the International SOS Assistance App available to download for free on both iOS and Android platforms. Use your bu.edu email address to log in to the International SOS Member’s Portal to find additional ways to contact International SOS and more information about the services provided by International SOS to travelers on Boston University-sponsored or affiliated international travel.

Download the App

Insurance

Boston University’s partnership with International SOS includes international medical and evacuation insurance provided through Chubb, which meets or exceeds the coverage required by Boston University’s International Travel Risk Policy. Travelers are automatically covered by the Chubb insurance while traveling internationally on Boston University-sponsored or affiliated travel with no enrollment required.

In addition to any global benefits that your primary health insurance provides, the Boston University-provided Chubb insurance will cover illness or injuries that occur while abroad on Boston University-sponsored or affiliated travel along with medical evacuation, security evacuation, and 24/7 emergency assistance. While the Boston University Chubb insurance has no copays or deductibles, travelers may need to pay upfront costs for low-cost medical visits and non-treatment expenses such as medications and some medical testing. Keep all receipts and any copies of medical bills to be submitted for reimbursement. If any part of the claim is denied by Chubb, you should submit a claim directly to your primary insurer for possible reimbursement.

Preventative care services and routine maintenance of a previously diagnosed medical condition are not covered by the Chubb policy. If more extensive coverage is needed, please contact your primary insurer to assess your existing coverage and supplement it if needed.

Travelers must maintain their US-based health insurance throughout the duration of the trip to be eligible for the international medical and evacuation coverage supplied through Chubb.

Mental Health

The Boston University provided Chubb insurance will cover routine, urgent or emergent mental health services including routine maintenance appointments with a therapist, counselor or psychologist for treatment of pre-existing mental health conditions. Both in-person and telehealth appointments may be available locally through the International SOS network of providers, depending on the location. The Boston University provided Chubb insurance will also cover newly prescribed medications for the treatment of mental health conditions while abroad. Travelers should use their primary insurer to cover preexisting prescriptions and prescription refills for medications for the treatment of mental health conditions.

While the Boston University Chubb insurance has no copays or deductibles, travelers may need to pay upfront costs for low-cost mental health visits and non-treatment expenses such as medications and some testing. Keep all receipts and any copies of mental health bills to be submitted for reimbursement. If any part of the claim is denied by Chubb, you should submit a claim directly to your primary insurer for possible reimbursement.

Traveling with Medication

Some medications that are commonly used in the U.S. may be restricted or regulated differently in other countries. Be aware of your destination’s restrictions on medications. Common restrictions include:

  • Narcotics and psychotropic medications (e.g. Adderall and Ambien)
  • Hormone medications (e.g. birth control pills, hormone therapy medication)
  • Certain ingredients (e.g. diphenhydramine HCI, found in Tylenol PM) or quantities

The International SOS Assistance Center can provide further guidance regarding specific medications at your destination. They may also suggest possible alternatives for you to discuss with your primary care or other specialized health care provider. The U.S. embassy website of your destination country may also provide information on the legality of medications. If any of your medications are on the list of restricted items, talk with your health care providers about possible alternatives that are legally permitted and readily available at your destination.

Establishing Continuity of Care Before Traveling

If you receive ongoing treatment or medication for any chronic medical or mental health condition(s) the International SOS Medical Team can help you ensure continuity of care while you are on your trip. Contact the International SOS Assistance Center and they will connect you to an International SOS doctor or nurse practitioner that can help you set up any reoccurring appointments or prescription refills necessary. Boston University’s Chubb insurance does not cover regular maintenance care of a diagnosis that was identified prior to international travel on Boston University-sponsored or affiliated business. It is important that you work with your primary insurance to discuss coverage if you have a condition that requires regular maintenance. However, if an unexpected medical situation/illness were to arise as a result of a previously diagnosed condition, coverage would apply.

Wellness Checks and Immunizations

The Travel Clinic at Boston Medical Center, as well as numerous other travel clinics in the Boston area, provides both pre- and post-travel medical services, including:

  • advice and counseling on disease prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment
  • advice on special issues such as medical care abroad, altitude sickness, and jet lag
  • itinerary-specific immunizations

Please be sure to make an appointment four or more weeks in advance of travel.

Insurance Certificates

Some countries require a certificate proving that a prospective visitor has adequate international medical and evacuation insurance as part of the visa application process. If you require an insurance certificate, please email GlobalHSS@bu.edu with your request and the Health, Safety & Security team will assist you. Insurance certificates take approximately two weeks to produce so plan accordingly.

Leisure or Personal Travel

Individuals traveling internationally on personal or leisure trips are NOT covered by this policy and do not have access to International SOS’s assistance services, but may have medical and evacuation insurance coverage through their personal insurance policies. If you are faculty and staff and covered under one of the Boston University Health Plans, please call HR at 617-353-2380 or email HR@bu.edu for information on how the Boston University Health Plan provides coverage while you are travelling internationally. If you will be travelling for a period longer than 3 months, you can visit the HR webpage on international health insurance coverage here: International Health Plan for more information on international coverage while on personal or leisure travel. Students enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan should contact the SHS Insurance Department to inquire about out-of-country health insurance for personal or leisure travel. They can be reached at 617-353-3579, by emailing SHIP@bu.edu, or through the patient portal at patientconnect.bu.edu.

Many U.S.-based health insurance plans provide some coverage for personal or leisure international travel, so check with your current health insurance provider if you are not currently covered by a Boston University-sponsored health insurance plan.

Residing Abroad

If you are a Boston University faculty, staff member, or student who is residing abroad for a period longer than 365 days, you should enroll in an out-of-country health insurance plan. Coverages listed above are limited to periods less than 365 days.

If you are a Boston University employee on one of the Boston University employee health plans, please contact HR at 617-353-2380, email HR@bu.edu, or visit their webpage on international health insurance coverage here: International Health Plan for more information on available options.

Boston University students enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan should contact the SHS Insurance Department to inquire about out-of-country health insurance. They can be reached at 617-353-3579, by emailing SHIP@bu.edu, or through the patient portal at patientconnect.bu.edu.

Most U.S.-based health insurance plans have an out-of-country option, so check with your current health insurance provider if you are not currently covered by a Boston University-sponsored health insurance plan

General Resources