International Safety and Security wants you to get the most out of your study abroad program. Part of this is taking care of yourself physically. You have international insurance through Gallagher, please use it for care!
Using the International Insurance. Taking care of yourself may mean seeking out a doctor. Finding a doctor can be overwhelming in a foreign country but staying healthy is better than ignoring your body’s warnings.
- Student Insurance Guide. Written with you in mind, the guide can help you with making appointments, reimbursements for care or prescriptions, understanding your benefits, and much more.
- Gallagher ID Card. This generic insurance ID card provides your policy number information and directions for calling. It is like a U.S. insurance card but can’t be used the same way. See “Difference in access & care” below.
- Seeking care. There are a variety of ways that you can seek care based on your program and location from visiting a pharmacy, clinic or hospital, using Gallagher’s apps Travel EYE and Doctor Please!, or calling Gallagher for advice. Review ways to arrange care below (and here) or ask your study abroad provider for advice. Many students successfully navigate this experience each semester (and so can you!).
- Go to a clinic. For minor issues you can go right into a clinic or pharmacy for help. If you must pay for care or prescriptions, you can submit a Claim for Reimbursement to get paid back. Check out the Student Guide or visit our website to learn more about the claims process.
- Call Doctor Please! This is an insurance app that lets you connect with providers via telehealth. You can call Gallagher to request this service or follow the instructions in the Student Guide to download the app.
- Calling Gallagher for an appointment. If you would prefer to set an appointment to see a provider in person, you can call Gallagher and ask them to arrange the appointment for you. This may take a couple of days, but this way Gallagher may be able to arrange payment on your behalf for the services covered. Check out the Student Guide or visit our website to learn more about setting up your appointment.
- Go to a hospital. For emergency issues you can always go directly to the hospital or call local emergency services. Once able, you can call Gallagher to arrange a payment directly to the hospital.
Differences in access & care. In the U.S., you usually need to show your insurance card before your appointment and the staff takes care of the paperwork for you. This is not the case when using your international insurance. You should call Gallagher to set up a case and arrange payment. They will ask you specific questions to best assist with your concern. Many countries have both private and public hospitals and with international insurance you may be able to seek care at a private hospital. If you do have to pay for your care before you leave (cash or credit card), you can seek reimbursement for those charges. Finally, if you have your country’s national insurance, Gallagher can reimburse you for copays and deductibles!
International Safety and Security is available 24/7 to assist students abroad. For emergencies contact us through UIPD at +1 (217) 333-1216. For routine matters, please e-mail us at safetyabroad@illinois.edu.