Auburn University Auburn Abroad Policy for host university/program/country mandatory health and emergency assistance insurance requirements.

The mandatory AU International Emergency Medical Assistance Policy (insurance) is required of all participants in AU approved activities abroad. This is a blanket corporate (university wide) policy acquired as part of the AU international emergency assistance response program. The emphasis of this program is to provide AU and its students and faculty with access to worldwide 24/7 emergency call center services, unlimited medical evacuation & repatriation of remains, family reunion and medical/ hospital care (assistance with advance payments associated with cost of hospitalization & bridging with other major medical health insurance coverage) during emergencies anywhere in the world.

Today, host programs around the world and many countries are now requiring all programs within their borders to also develop similar local requirements for local assistance during emergencies. Such requirements are similarly mandatory. There are many variations in such requirements, benefits and implementation processes for such plans therefore there may be differences in benefit levels, overlap or unique elements to each plan. Each of these plans should be considered to be supplemental and meeting local institutional needs and standards. Furthermore local policies may only apply for local care and not broader regional or even international coverage. Therefore the AU administrative policy is that all participants on AU approved activities must comply with the requirements of the hosting nation, programs and institutions even if an overlap may occur.

Furthermore the AU emergency assistance policy is also designed to strengthen any existing insurance policies the program participant may carry including any required in-country policies. The AU policy requirements provides program administrators with an AU based mechanism to manage crises and especially medical emergencies abroad therefore it is not a waivable or optional policy. Equally AU OIE recognizes that each program and host abroad may have their own policies that provide for the needed local services and mechanisms to manage crises and medical emergencies that might occur on site. Therefore AU OIE requires that all program participants not only comply with AU requirements but also with any and all host program requirements regarding purchase of local coverage for medical or emergency insurance.

In an effort to continue to understand the local insurance requirements associated with the local program requirements we would appreciate your forwarding the following information:

1. Please send/email/ fax us a copy of the complete insurance description of benefits and exclusions. Our fax number is 334-844-4983 or email me a copy.

2. We will have the benefits reviewed against the AU requirements once we receive a description of the local benefits/plan. However as noted above this is for review only and it is a practice and policy of this office that students get the appropriate in-country insurance, as arranged for by the host university, in addition to our AU International Emergency Assistance policy.

                                                                                        rev. 03/24/2006 02:04:42 PM