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Travel Assistance and Health Insurance

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International Travel Assistance

Stanford University partners with Crisis24, an international safety and emergency response provider to support Stanford travelers. Crisis24 services are designed to help travelers prepare and respond to any personal medical, travel, and security problems when they are away from campus. These services range from medical and security advice and referrals to local providers to full-scale evacuation by private air ambulance for medical emergencies.

For additional information, review Stanford’s Crisis24 information.

International Health Insurance Coverage

Stanford University provides insurance for unforeseen medical and security incidents that travelers may encounter while abroad. This insurance, via Zurich, is provided at no cost to students on Stanford-sponsored travel, which includes participants in the Bing Overseas Studies Program. This policy does not have deductibles or copays, but there may be circumstances in which you will be expected to pay for medical care out of pocket and seek reimbursement. You can access this coverage through calling Crisis24 +1 (443) 716-2305. If you do not call Crisis24 for assistance, you will be expected to pay for any treatment you receive. You should retain all receipts and documentation of care in order to file a claim with Zurich.

Zurich Policy & Personal Medical Insurance

There are exclusions under the Zurich policy, and we advise travelers to familiarize themselves with the policy prior to travel. If you are seeking routine or preventative medical treatment abroad, you will be expected to pay for these services and seek reimbursement from your personal medical insurance provider.

For this reason, Stanford travelers are required to maintain their personal medical insurance for the duration of their time abroad. You should contact your personal medical insurance provider to understand your international medical coverage for exclusions under the Zurich policy. 

For additional information, review the Zurich policy summary, review the Insurance FAQs, or contact globalrisk@stanford.edu.

Seeking Medical Attention Abroad

Overseas medical facilities and healthcare systems may vary significantly from what you are accustomed to in the U.S. If at any time you need to seek medical care during your program you should: 

  • Contact Crisis24 at +1 (443) 716-2305 or via the Crisis24 app (Apple or Google).
  • Contact BOSP program staff. Program staff can provide you with information about local medical facilities during the onsite orientation. If you need medical assistance, let your program staff know as soon as possible.