U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance through GeoBlue (BCBS Global) provides health insurance coverage for U-M travelers abroad for reasonable expenses such as physician office visits, hospital visits, mental health services, telehealth services, prescribed medications overseas, emergency evacuation, Post-Departure Trip Interruption (PDTI), and more. Please note that this is not trip/travel insurance.
You may enroll via the University Health & Counseling insurance webpage.
Students from all U-M campuses who travel abroad on University of Michigan Related Travel (UMRT) must have U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance (through GeoBlue / BCBS Global Solutions) per U-M SPG 601.31: International Travel Policy. UMRT may include (but is not limited to) study, research, internships, service, conferences, presentations, teaching, performances, or athletic competitions. Enrolling in GeoBlue (BCBS Global Solutions) is still required even if you have alternative health insurance plans (e.g. personal domestic insurance plans, third-party provider insurance plans, etc.).
Student insurance is currently managed by GeoBlue (BCBS Global) (Education Abroad Plan). Current U-M students (including up to 6 months after graduation and those traveling in between semesters) at the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, or Flint campuses are eligible for this plan. Some students will need to purchase U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance individually. For other students, the sending program / department / unit may decide to purchase travel abroad health insurance for them on their behalf. Please verify prior to departure.
Faculty and staff, including Michigan Medicine employees, traveling internationally for U-M related travel are automatically covered under the University’s blanket travel abroad health insurance policy with GeoBlue (BCBS Global)’s Business Traveler Plan. Leisure activities prior to and after your university-related trip are also automatically covered. Your spouse / domestic partner and dependents under the age of 26 traveling with you are automatically covered under this plan. Names of these individuals should be listed in your U-M travel registration.
You do not need to purchase the insurance plan. However, you must register your travel in the U-M Travel Registry. In your travel registration, you will be able to access the GeoBlue/BCBS Global Solutions insurance card. T0 access the online or app services, you will need to register your GeoBlue / BCBS Global Solutions account.
Note: those with U-M Emeritus/Emerita titles and U-M temporary employees are not eligible for the Business Traveler Plan. GeoBlue (BCBS Global) does offer out of the box insurance options for non-UM travelers. Rates / coverage depend on what options are selected. Use the “Get a Quote” function for details.
For personal/leisure travel abroad, all U-M students (up to 6 months after graduation), faculty, staff, and Michigan Medicine employees are eligible to individually purchase GeoBlue (BCBS Global)’s Personal/Leisure Plan. Plans may be purchased for your spouse / domestic partner and dependents under the age of 26 traveling with you.
Although not required for non-UM related travel / personal reasons, it is highly recommended to enroll and purchase the GeoBlue (BCBS Global) Personal/Leisure Plan because of the coverage and benefits when traveling outside the U.S.. If purchasing, travelers must purchase GeoBlue (BCBS Global) Personal/Leisure Plan before departing the U.S..
If you are planning on extending your travel on U-M related travel for personal or leisure travel, your coverage will depend on your plan. You are either covered under your existing plan, or you will need to purchase a separate plan for the personal portion of your trip.
Current U-M faculty / U-M staff / Michigan Medicine employees on the Business Traveler Plan: You are covered under the GeoBlue (BCBS Global) Business Traveler Plan for both University-business travel and leisure activities directly prior to and after your University-related trip. You do not need to enroll in the GeoBlue (BCBS Global) Personal/Leisure Plan separately.
Current students on UMRT: If you plan to purchase GeoBlue (BCBS Global) Education Abroad Plan yourself, then you can choose to cover personal travel dates before or after your University-related trip. If your unit enrolled you into the GeoBlue (BCBS Global) Education Abroad Plan on your behalf for specific program dates, then you will need to purchase the GeoBlue (BCBS Global) Personal/Leisure Plan separately.
Note: You must be logged into your U-M account to access these Google Drive files. Access is limited to U-M users.
If you are on U-M related travel abroad, you must enroll in GeoBlue (BCBS Global). For the purposes of U-M SPG 601.31: International Travel Policy, U.S. territories (including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the United States Minor Outlying Islands) are included in the Travel Abroad definition because travelers on UMRT in U.S. Territories are covered by the U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance and its associated political and natural evacuation insurance.
For any medical services, you will need to pay out of pocket and then file a claim for reimbursement through GeoBlue (BCBS Global).
After enrolling in GeoBlue (BCBS Global), complete these steps so that you are prepared in the event of a medical incident abroad:
Explore GeoBlue (BCBS Global)’s Pre-Departure Program: provides consultations for planning healthcare needs in your host destination. Complete the questionnaire and request follow-up from a clinician. (This can be completed before enrolling in GeoBlue/BCBS Global.) See the video below for additional details.
Link to GeoBlue (BCBS Global) Pre-Departure Program Overview (Video)
What is the Post-Departure Trip Interruption Benefit?
GeoBlue (BCBS Global) Study Abroad plan (students) includes a post-departure trip interruption benefit. Post-departure trip interruption coverage provides a benefit to you if your trip is interrupted or must be discontinued for any of the following reasons:
What is the coverage amount?
For the instances outlined, the benefit will pay up to the maximum amount of $2,500 per coverage year for the cost of a one-way economy class airfare ticket to reach your destination. The amounts paid will not exceed the cost of economy airfare by the most direct route on the next available carrier. Suppose you must quarantine or delay your return to meet exit/entry requirements while covered under this health insurance policy. In that case, you will be reimbursed for reasonable lodging and meal expenses incurred due to the quarantine*. The benefit will pay up to the maximum of $3,750 per coverage year and is limited to $250 per day for a maximum of 15 days per calendar year.
*GeoBlue (BCBS Global Solutions) reimburses qualified quarantine costs when the host government mandates quarantine outside of your housing. The lodging benefit does not apply if your current housing meets your host country’s quarantine or self-isolation rules. Coverage details are outlined in the GeoBlue (BCBS Global Solutions) Student Member Guide.
What steps do you need to take advantage of this benefit and submit a claim?
Members will need to submit the claim form along with the following documentation for reimbursement:
❏ Doctor’s note
❏ Documentation showing positive test results
❏ Itemized invoice/receipts
❏ Proof of payment
Note: This benefit is only available to those on the GeoBlue (BCBS Global Solutions) U-M Education Abroad Plan. Any U-M student traveling for education or co-curricular purposes is eligible for the GeoBlue (BCBS Global) U-M Study Abroad Plan.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding this benefit, please contact GeoBlue (BCBS Global). GeoBlue (BCBS Global)’s International Service Center is available 24/7/365 at +1-844-268-2686 (if calling from inside the U.S.) or +1-610-263-2847 (if calling from outside the U.S.).
U-M faculty and staff may enroll a roster of students and non-UM participants on UMRT into the GeoBlue (BCBS Global Solutions) Study Abroad Plan on their behalf.
To receive GeoBlue (BCBS Global) administrator access and to submit a roster, follow these steps:
For additional details, you may review the GeoBlue (BCBS Global) Admin Guide (available upon request).
U-M faculty and staff may enroll a roster of students and non-UM participants on UMRT into the GeoBlue (BCBS Global Solutions) Study Abroad Plan on their behalf.
For current GeoBlue (BCBS Global Solutions) Administrators:
For enrollment issues, contact the U-M Campus Insurance team at [email protected].
