Pre-Departure Health Preparation

Insurance coverage before or after your program

If you plan to travel before or after your study abroad program, it is very important to obtain additional medical insurance coverage as the medical insurance provided by MSU expires two days after the last date of your study abroad program.  While you may believe your domestic health insurance policy will cover the costs for any medical care needed abroad, it is likely you will be required to pay upfront and later seek reimbursement.  Keep in mind that hospitalization or evacuation abroad can cost as much as $40,000.  Do you have immediate access to that much money on a moment's notice?

If you would like to purchase coverage for your additional travel, there are dozens of companies that specialize in international medical insurance policies.  You can research them on the web or you can purchase a policy similar to the MSU coverage from our current provider HTH Worldwide.  On the web site, you can review a variety of coverage options, make a selection, and pay with a credit card.  You policy will be e-mailed to you within hours.  The policy most similar to MSU's coverage is the TravelGap Voyager plan. The coverage allows access to all of HTH's web tools; provides comprehensive protection; and, depending on the medical limit selected (it can range from a medical maximum of $75,000 to $1,000,000), the deductible chosen (it can range from $0 to $400 ) and your age at the time of travel, costs less than $15 for the initial 10 days of travel while outside of the US. 

Remember, you will need to independently purchase this separate insurance coverage (you cannot extend the MSU study abroad coverage, a "new" policy must be obtained).

If you should have any questions regarding your health, safety, or security abroad contact Julie Friend, International Analyst for Travel Health, Safety & Security, Office of Study Abroad or (517) 353-8920.