Study Abroad Frequently Asked Questions

The specific terms of this insurance are described in the insurance brochure.  The Summary of Coverage brochure can be accessed via the myCISI Participant Portal.  After a student, faculty or staff member is enrolled in the plan; they should go to myCISI Participant Portal and create an account for themselves.  Their password will be e-mailed to them and they can then go back to this same link to login and access all of their insurance materials (customized ID card, consulate letter, Summary of Coverage brochure, and claim form) as well as other very useful tools and information.   

This insurance provides a comprehensive package of medical benefits and emergency services specifically designed to address the risks associated with study abroad.  Coverage is primary.  Specific benefits include:

Schedule of Benefits Policy
Coverage and Services Maximum Limits
Section I

• Accidental Death/Dismemberment per insured: $25,000
• Medical Expense (per accident/sickness)
  • Deductible Zero
  • Basic Medical at 100% up to $500,000
• Home Country Benefit: full excess
• Extension of Benefits: 90 days
• Emergency Medical Reunion (incl. lodging, max $300/day and meals, max $100/day) up to $10,000
• Trip Delay: $150/day up to 14 days
• Trip Interruption (Return Ticket) up to $2,500
• Baggage and Personal Effects ($50 deductible, $100 per article) $200 max
• Trip Cancellation up to $5,000

Section II

• Team Assist Plan (TAP): 24-7 medical, travel, technical assistance: Included
• Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation up to $1,000,000
• Return of Mortal Remains up to $1,000,000

Section III

• Security Evacuation Rider (Comprehensive) up to $1,000,000

Medical benefits are automatically extended 30 days after expiration of the insurance for conditions first diagnosed or treated while covered overseas.

The Team Assist Plan is designed by CISI in conjunction with AXA Assistance to provide travelers with a worldwide, 24-hour emergency telephone assistance service. Multilingual medical, travel and technical assistance may be furnished for the Insured Person in the event of an emergency during the term of coverage. The Team Assist Plan complements the insurance benefits provided by the Medical Plan.

If you require help from AXA Assistance, In the U.S., call (855) 951-2326, outside the U.S. call 1-443-470-3043 (collect calls accepted) or e-mail medassist-usa@axa-assistance.us

The Emergency Medical Reunion benefit provides one individual, selected by the Insured Person; with limited coverage for travel to and lodging/meals in the host country should the participant be hospitalized for more than three days.

This insurance is provided under contract with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI).

Current UW System policy (UW System Administrative Policy 145 (SYS 145) Development and Operation of Off-Campus International Educational Programs for University of Wisconsin System Students) requires that every student in international education programs purchase insurance for accident and health, repatriation and medical evacuation. Beginning in Fall 2002, purchase of the CISI insurance coverage was mandated for students enrolled in a study abroad or international exchange program sponsored by a UW System institution.

For the purpose of this System-wide requirement, a program will be considered to be a Study Abroad or International Exchange program if it meets the following criteria:

• The program is operated under the auspices of an office with designated responsibility for international programs at a UW System institution
• The primary focus of the program is academic
• The program activities occur outside the United States

Anyone with questions regarding the application of this insurance requirement can be directed to Tom Joestgen in the UW System Office of Risk Management: (608) 890-4792 or thomas.joestgen@wisconsin.edu.

This insurance coverage is available to faculty, staff and students, and UW international education program participants who engage in university-sponsored educational activities occurring outside the United States. A student is any person who is enrolled in a course or academic program at a UW System institution. Faculty and staff who travel abroad may be eligible for insurance benefits other than CISI.

Eligibility for this insurance extends to accompanying dependents of participants in courses or programs abroad.  Dependents include spouse and child(ren).  The per dependent rates are as follows:

Any questions regarding eligibility for this insurance coverage can be directed to Tom Joestgen  in the Office of Risk Management: 608-890-4792 or by e-mail at thomas.joestgen@wisconsin.edu.

In most cases, enrollment for this insurance coverage is automatic for students participating in study abroad and international exchange programs. Participants in other international activities and programs should check with the sponsoring office at their UW System campus for further information about enrolling for this insurance.

Prior to departure, all participants will receive an identification card, a consulate letter, and a Summary of Coverage brochure with claim form explaining the benefits under the program and what they will need to do to file a claim.  Detailed information and forms for filing a claim are available online at:  http://www.culturalinsurance.com/students/claim-information.asp

Yes.  Coverage for University of Wisconsin System students (no dependents) traveling to other U.S. campuses on “Study Away” programs was added as of 5/1/13.  This coverage, with the exception of AD&D, will be in excess of all other valid and collectible Insurance and will apply only when such benefits are exhausted.  The insured must be 100 miles or more from home/campus for Emergency Medical Reunion, Trip Interruption, Medical Evacuation/Repatriation, Return of Mortal Remains and Security Evacuation to be activated.  

Persons receiving Continuing Education Units (CEU) for coursework at a UW System institution are students for the purposes of this insurance requirement.

Perhaps. The insurance requirement automatically applies only for students enrolled in study abroad or international exchange programs sponsored by a UW System institution. However, study tours and other university-sponsored activities abroad may require the participants to purchase this insurance, too.

No. This insurance is intended to provide coverage for university-sponsored academic programs and activities outside the United States, and so does not extend to activities sponsored by student or community organizations or those that are primarily recreational.

To ensure that all students have the standard level of coverage, this insurance is mandatory for UW System students in study abroad or international exchange programs, regardless of what other insurance coverage the student may have.

No. Some countries require the purchase of country insurance in order to secure an international student visa, and so purchase of the UW System insurance may seem unnecessary. However, there are some important differences between the two types of coverage. Country insurance generally provides no benefit for medical evacuation and repatriation. Country insurance is specific to the host country, and will not provide coverage for participants who travel to other countries while abroad. For these reasons, the UW System insurance requirement will not be waived in these circumstances. Please note that some consulates may issue student visas without requiring purchase of the country insurance if the participant can provide proof of coverage under a valid group plan. The sponsoring UW System institution and CISI will work with participants to provide proof of coverage letters for submission to consulates. Please send these specialized consulate letter requests via e-mail to materials@culturalinsurance.com.

No.

The insurance policy contains an exclusion for injury resulting from acts of war in countries in which war has been officially declared.  The insurance does cover medical expenses for injuries resulting from acts of terror, even when the state department issues a warning not to travel to a specific location.

Yes.  Trip Cancellation coverage provides benefits up to $5,000 for Loss(es) the Insured Person incurs for trips if cancelled for specific reasons prior to departure.  The incident that causes cancellation must occur within 30 days of the scheduled travel dates. The Company will reimburse for the following: the amount of forfeited, prepaid, and non-refundable unused payments or deposits that were paid for the Covered Trip. Application fee, confirmation deposit, and the insurance fee/premium are not reimbursable.  In no event shall the amount reimbursed exceed the lesser of the amount the Insured Person prepaid for the Covered Trip or the maximum benefit shown on the Schedule of Benefits.  All Trip Cancellation claims are handled between CISI and the institution, not directly with the trip participants.

Yes.  However, the sponsoring UW System institution must request the cancellation.  Refunds are made to the UW System institution, not the insured, and are based on the number of full remaining months of coverage.  If the insured never departed, the refund will be in full.  If the insured returns home early and has not incurred claims, then the refund will be pro-rated as mentioned above.  If the insured returns home early and has incurred claims, then there is no refund. 

This insurance coverage is purchased in one week, two week, three week, or for longer trips,  monthly increments.  A month is defined as, for example, May 18 to June 18 or July 5 to August 5.  The start and stop dates for the coverage are set at the time the insurance is purchased and reflect the duration of the program or activity in which the participating will be engaging.  The reporting of a couple of days “cushion” on each end of the program dates is acceptable to help accommodate varying flight dates.  However, coverage will start no earlier than when the insured’s plane departs the US.

The “Study Abroad” participant rates for the academic year are as follows:

Yes.  There is limited coverage for Trip Interruption (Return Ticket) and Trip Delay under specific circumstances which are described in the Summary of Coverage. This insurance also has an Emergency Medical Repatriation benefit which, if arranged and approved by AXA Assistance, CISI’s 24/7 assistance partner, will cover all or part of the cost of emergency travel home as a result of an injury or medical condition experienced by the participant. 

This insurance does not provide coverage for activities occurring in the United States. However, a student enrolled in a study abroad or exchange program will be required to purchase this insurance, regardless of nationality.

In these instances, the insured (or someone on his/her behalf) should contact AXA Assistance, CISI’s 24/7 assistance partner, so that a case may be opened and help can be provided.  In the U.S., call (855) 951-2326, outside the U.S. call 1-443-470-3043 (collect calls accepted) or e-mail medassist-usa@axa-assistance.us.  AXA Assistance can guarantee payment to a hospital, make sure that the medical facility is adequate for the insured’s injury/illness, monitor the insured’s condition, and approve/arrange a medical or security evacuation/repatriation.  Anytime that an insured is being moved, whether from one facility/location to another or from one facility/location to back home, a case must first be opened with AXA Assistance and they must approve and arrange for the transport in order for these expenses to be covered.