The safety of Tulane students is an integral part of the mission of the Office of Study Abroad. Tulane takes great care to select and continuously monitor the programs in our portfolio, using such resources as the U.S. State Department, Crisis24, various news outlets and the Tulane Office of Insurance and Risk Management.
All students register for Crisis 24, which provides up-to-date information about travel security conditions in locations around the world.
In the case of an emergency, Crisis 24 may be contracted to provide emergency medical care or evacuation and security assistance, which includes evacuation in the event that it is determined that a student's security is threatened by any political instability, civil unrest, or an environmental disaster.
Tulane students must demonstrate adequate health coverage in the U.S. AND in their host country while studying abroad. This requirement applies to all students on a Tulane-sponsored Study Abroad Program, no matter their permanent citizenship (US or international). Study abroad students are NOT exempt from this requirement. The details of the domestic requirement can be found on Tulane University's Health Services Insurance Webpage.
Unforeseen events may cause you to return to the U.S. earlier than originally intended—perhaps even with a medical condition requiring treatment—in which case it is imperative to maintain adequate medical coverage in the U.S. even while studying abroad. To demonstrate health coverage in the U.S. students must complete the same annual on-campus waiver process they complete every year they are enrolled at Tulane. For overseas insurance, students and families are urged to explore their options and fully understand how they are insured while abroad.
Students must complete a declaration form in their study abroad application portal indicating to the Office of Study Abroad how they will be covered abroad. The student's existing domestic health insurance may cover them while abroad - however, the student must contact their insurance provider to make that determination.
In the case that the student’s domestic insurance does not provide coverage while they are abroad, Students should consider the following options to obtain health insurance while abroad:
***NOTE: Some program providers, host universities, and foreign governments require a particular kind of insurance as a condition of enrollment (Example: many schools in Australia, Denmark, Spain).
Option 1: Study Abroad Program-Provided Insurance
Many, but not all foreign programs, universities, and/or host countries’ governments automatically cover students with an international health insurance policy or coverage through a national healthcare plan. Please research what, if any, insurance is provided to you through your foreign program, university, or host government. Familiarize yourself with the benefits and exclusions. In some cases a fee might be charged by the host government or program for enrollment into their healthcare plan.
Option 2: GeoBlue
Tulane offers students participating in Study Abroad programs the option to purchase GeoBlue supplemental health insurance for their time abroad. GeoBlue covers you abroad while abroad, even while traveling in other countries outside of your host country (other policies may not). Purchasing GeoBlue insurance is mandatory for students who study on the EDUCO and Sciences Po programs, the Bologna Consortial Studies program, and the REUNIDAS Madrid program. For these programs only, the Office of Study Abroad will purchase the insurance on your behalf and bill your Tulane account accordingly.
Purchasing GeoBlue insurance is optional for all other study abroad students. Cost is approximately $300 per term and $500 per year although this is subject to change--refer to the GeoBlue website directly for up-to-date pricing. If you would like to enroll in GeoBlue, you must register yourself in the insurance program by visiting this link. Enter Tulane's group code, CME-484. You must include the "-" for the code to function. You should then be directed to Tulane's policy page and be able to register by entering your personal information.
Option 3: Tulane’s United HealthCare Student Health Insurance Plan (T-SHIP)
Students may enroll or choose to stay enrolled in Tulane’s University’s Student Health Insurance Plan. T-SHIP offers international coverage with in-network providers and no out-of-pocket expenses after applicable deductibles are met. Complete information about United Health Care Global, including current rates, may be found on the Campus Health website.
Option 4: Other
If, for example, you waive the T-SHIP every year and instead use your family’s health insurance when you’re at Tulane, you might explore whether that policy provides global coverage that you are comfortable with.
Please note that you will be required to demonstrate proof of international insurance prior to the start of your study abroad semester/year.
If a student has a pre-existing medical condition, they should speak with their physician in order to develop a plan for their time abroad. Here is a list of questions to discuss with a health care provider prior to studying abroad:
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How do you import prescription medication into the host country or identify the most suitable alternative that is available in the host country?
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Can the physician consult with you over the phone or email if necessary?
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Should you find a local physician to help monitor the condition regularly while abroad?
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Are there local issues that may exacerbate the condition? Excessive sun? Allergens? Air pollution?
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Does the potential host city have the resources and infrastructure so that you may find the necessary care while there?
Students who will need to see a physician abroad in order to obtain medication or treat an ongoing condition should consult with their program provider or host university prior to departure to identify a suitable local healthcare provider.
Students with Goldman Center accommodations should send a copy of their official accommodations letter to the NTC Office of Study Abroad and their program provider or host university immediately upon acceptance or during the initial application process. Even if you do not plan to use your accommodations abroad, it is a good idea to send in your letter to your program provider early in the application process just in case. If you wait until after you are already on-site to ask for approved accommodations to be implemented, it may no longer be possible depending on the program or host country. If you have concerns related to accommodations abroad, you can always make an appointment with an OSA advisor.
Housing-Related Accommodations:
If you are registered with the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility and approved for medically based housing accommodations while at Tulane, the Goldman Center can provide a letter detailing your specific housing needs for submission to your program. Many programs can meet your medically based housing needs while adhering to their requirements and the recommended accommodations.
If you are not registered with the Goldman Center and do not have approval for a medically based housing accommodation, you must submit your request and complete their interactive process to receive a recommendation for accommodation while studying abroad. Again, if your program has a specific housing requirement, the process will be geared towards (1) identifying the most appropriate form of housing offered by the program that can best support your medical needs and (2) recommending placement in that form of housing. On-site staff have ultimate approval on whether housing accommodations can be met on site, but many programs are both willing and able to meet your documented medical needs.
Should the program’s on-site staff determine that they are unable to meet the recommended accommodation request, then they may offer independent housing as an option following a consultation with OSA and Goldman.
Your provider or host university may provide mental health resources to you as part of your program fee. Program staff can also assist you in locating mental healthcare providers within your host country if needed. While students do typically have access to such resources on site through their provider or host university, keep in mind these resources may differ from what you may encounter in the U.S. depending on your program as well as the host country’s culture respective to mental health. Before you depart, reach out to your program contact directly to ask about counseling and other services which may be available to you on-site.
If you have opted to remain enrolled in T-SHIP as your domestic policy, UnitedHealthcare StudentResources and HealthiestYou have partnered together to provide access to doctors and mental healthcare from anywhere you are, even while traveling internationally. All services are free for students covered under the UHCSR insurance plan; services are available for all other students for a fee, as noted here. Students who are not enrolled in T-SHIP should research remote mental health resources available through their domestic provider.
