Medical issues before traveling to the United States
Work and Travel USA participants are provided with medical insurance that meets U.S. Department of State requirements. This insurance covers basic medical services during the program period and provides protection in case of illness or injury. The insurance policy includes a coverage limit of at least $100,000 and access to a network of medical facilities that work with the insurance company. Participants are advised to review the terms of their insurance and understand which medical services it covers. Terms and conditions of the insurance policy Start and End Date: The start date of the insurance policy corresponds to the program start date in SEVIS. If the program start date is postponed to a later date (e.g. due to flight delays), the insurance start date will also be postponed. The insurance is valid until the program end date in SEVIS. You can check both of these dates in your personal account on the sponsor's website. Grace period: Health insurance does not cover travel time after the end of the program (Grace period). If you need insurance for this period, you can purchase it yourself. The International Exchange Center (IEC) can provide information on where to buy this insurance. It's important to consider before flying to the US: * Read your health insurance policy carefully and find out what services are covered and what services are not. * Check your health with a doctor in your country, especially if you have chronic illnesses. * Purchase medications you may need with a prescription, as not all medications are readily available in the US. * If you wear glasses or contact lenses, make sure you have a supply, as this service is often not covered by insurance. * See a dentist before traveling, as dental care in the US is very expensive and rarely covered by insurance policies. Medical care in the U.S.: If you need medical care in the U.S., it is important to go to medical facilities that partner with your insurance company. You will need to provide your insurance policy and a bill for the medical care will be sent to your insurer. If you go to a non-partnered facility, you will probably have to pay the bill yourself. Prescription Drugs: When buying prescription drugs, be prepared to pay for them yourself, keep the receipt and send it to your insurer for reimbursement. Use of insurance: Your insurance policy may include out-of-pocket costs (deductible and coinsurance), which means you may have to pay part of the cost of treatment or medication yourself. Therefore, seek medical care only when necessary. Insurance Policy Number and System Access: Each participant will be assigned a unique insurance policy number. Be sure to memorize it! You will also have access to the insurer's system (Student Zone), where you can find information about the nearest medical facilities, instructions on what to do in case of an insurance claim, and the opportunity to submit a request for reimbursement. Contact numbers of the service center in USA: Toll-free: +1 (855) 731-9445 Direct Dial: +1 (317) 927-6806 Summary: * Check your insurance start and end dates in SEVIS. * If you need medical assistance or need to file an insurance claim, contact the service center. * Buy prescription medications only when necessary, keeping receipts for reimbursement. * If necessary, purchase travel insurance for the duration of your travels. * If you have questions, contact your insurer or IEC representative for help. For more details on insurance and health care services in the U.S., see: IEC Health Insurance — InterExchange
