Insurance
Study Abroad Sickness & Accident Insurance
Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan
The Oregon University System Legal Affairs office mandates universal health insurance coverage with a common provider for all Oregon public university students on international programs. The Office of Risk Assessment reviewed many policies and determined that the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Plan (formerly Acordia Somerton Insurance Plan) provides the best coverage for the least cost to Oregon students.
Participants in OUS International Programs will be enrolled in this supplemental medical insurance administered by Wells Fargo Insurance Services. The plan is intended to supplement either students’ personal insurance policies or the national health care plan of the country in which the student is studying.
EnrollmentBack to Top
You will automatically be enrolled in the Wells Fargo Insurance Services’ Deluxe Plan for the dates of your study abroad program plus approximately one week prior and one week after your program dates. The cost of this coverage is included in your program fee. At the pre-departure orientation, you will receive an insurance packet from Wells Fargo Insurance Services with claim forms and information on how to file a claim; emergency assist protocol; a policy brochure; and insurance options for traveling before and after the program. This information is also available on the Wells Fargo Insurance Services website: www.wellsfargo.com/studentinsurance (click on “Student Insurance/College Health Plans,” then enter “Oregon,” click “Oregon State Schools” and “OUS” to view the brochure). You will receive additional information (exact coverage dates, confirmation letter, medical identification card, etc) prior to your departure by e-mail.
CoverageBack to Top
The Accident and Sickness Insurance plan includes:
- Maximum lifetime benefit per injury or sickness of $100,000 with $0 deductible
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit up to the principal sum of $10,000
- Global Emergency Services from Scholastic Emergency Services (formerly Assist America), including guaranteed hospital admission, emergency medical evacuation, prescription assistance, and repatriation of remains (Download a Benefit Brochure)
Exclusions
Exclusions are outlined on page seven of the 2006-07 brochure.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to read the complete Wells Fargo Insurance Services brochure for details. Please note that the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Plan has two distinct components: medical insurance policy and global emergency assistance services. Medical insurance reimbursement claims may be filed after service and payment are rendered. Global emergency assistance services, however, must be arranged by Scholastic Emergency Services before services are rendered. Scholastic Emergency Services will not reimburse for emergency assistance services not arranged by them.
Medical Insurance Reimbursement ClaimsBack to Top
Be prepared to pay for medical care at the time of treatment. After your treatment, you must submit a claim to AmeriBen/IEC Group in order to be reimbursed for eligible charges. You can find a claim form in your insurance packet, or you can go to https://services.ameriben.com and download a claim form. (You will enter the OUS group number which is 0305012 and your student ID number.)
Send the claim form (one claim form per incident) and a copy of the itemized bill(s) (translated into English, when possible) within 90 days from the date of injury or from the date of the first medical treatment for a sickness, to the following address. Always keep copies for your records.
AmeriBen/IEC Group
P.O. Box 7186
Boise, ID 83707
If you have any questions regarding claims, contact AmeriBen directly at: 1 (208) 344-7900 from outside the U.S., and 1 (800) 953-1801 from inside the U.S.
Global Emergency Assistance ServicesBack to Top
Scholastic Emergency Services must be contacted prior to seeking emergency services; otherwise, claims will be denied. In the event that you require Scholastic Emergency Services services, contact Scholastic Emergency Services at the phone number listed on your ID card. Please read carefully the page regarding Global Emergency Assistance Services in your insurance packet and leave a copy of that page with your parents. The Scholastic Emergency Services website can be found at www.assistamerica.com/students.html
Frequently Asked QuestionsBack to Top
What are the three most important things I should know regarding insurance BEFORE I leave for my program abroad?
- You should bring both your medical insurance card (provided in your hard copy packet or as an electronic card which you can print), and your Scholastic Emergency Services tear-out card (or electronic card which you can print)
- If you have a pre-existing condition, you will want to contact Scholastic Emergency Services to get a list of doctors and hospitals in the area where you will be located.
- You should leave a copy of both insurance cards with a family member in case there is a medical emergency and your parents need to contact Scholastic Emergency Services or the attending physician.
What is the difference between AmeriBen/IEC Group and Scholastic Emergency Services?
- AmeriBen/IEC Group is the claims paying company. If you have to go to a doctor or hospital, you will need to pay in full (cash or credit card usually), and then once you get a detailed final bill, you must submit it to AmeriBen/IEC Group with a claim form to have the amount reimbursed according to the plan.
- Scholastic Emergency Services is a travel assistance service, mostly utilized when someone is experiencing a medical EMERGENCY, (e.g., an injury needing IMMEDIATE attention, unconsciousness, severe bleeding, etc.). There are other services that Scholastic Emergency Services provides but transport and locating hospitals and doctors is the most common. You do not need to pay Scholastic Emergency Services, since the fee is built into the insurance cost. NOTE: you (or someone helping you) must make arrangements through Scholastic Emergency Services (they have 24/7 staff answering calls). In most extreme cases, in the case of fatality, Scholastic Emergency Services makes arrangements for preparing and transporting the body back to the student’s home country.
What if I become sick and I’m not sure if it’s a medical emergency? Or what if I just need to be checked out by a doctor?
Please call Scholastic Emergency Services. The operator (who is medically trained) will ask a series of questions and help you determine what to do and where to go.
What should I do if I am experiencing a mental health emergency?
Please call Scholastic Emergency Services. The operator (who is medically trained), will ask a series of questions and help you determine what to do and where to go. If you need to see a mental health specialist, Scholastic Emergency Services will speak to the provider to assess further. If you need to go back home, Scholastic Emergency Services will arrange a medically trained escort Scholastic Emergency Services is also great at communicating with a family member “back home.” Once you give Scholastic Emergency Services the necessary information, they’ll help coordinate everything.
If I need to come home early for medical reasons, do you refund the insurance premium or prorate it?
The first three (3) months of coverage will always be recognized as fully-earned premium by the carrier and will be forfeited. If you are on a one-term or one-semester program, you will receive no refund. If you are on an academic year program, your refund will be prorated depending upon your individual circumstances. Please contact Wells Fargo Insurance Services (and your OUS Program Director ) for details.
How do I obtain a claim form and when should I send in a claim?
You can wait until returning to the U.S. or you can send the information to AmeriBen/IEC Group while you are abroad. You can find a blank claim form in your insurance packet. If you lose it, you can contact AmeriBen/IEC Group at 800-953-1801 (in the U.S.) or 208-344-7900 (outside the U.S.) to obtain a form. You must fill out the form in its entirety and submit a detailed bill, preferably completed by the provider in English (some providers may not do that).
What if I have a pre-existing condition and have to seek treatment? Will I have coverage?
The insurance company will pay up to $1,000 of a pre-existing condition for the first six months. After six months, they will pay up to the policy limit.
Is there any dental coverage?
No – accident coverage only. There is a dental expense benefit of $100 per tooth for any covered accident if you injure a sound, natural tooth.
Anything else I should know about my claims?
- If you have other insurance (through your parents or work), you need to submit that information to AmeriBen/IEC Group so they can coordinate with both plans.
- If AmeriBen/IEC Group sends you a letter requesting additional information, you should complete the paperwork as soon as possible to expedite payment of the claim.
Further Questions?
If you have questions regarding your coverage, please contact the Wells Fargo Insurance Services office at 1-800-853-5899 (inside the U.S.) or 1-916-231-3400 (outside the U.S.) or write to info@somerton-ins.com.
Anytime you need to contact Scholastic Emergency Services, please use the reference number which is printed below, on the ID card and insurance brochure: 01-AA-SOM-01034