Overseas Insurance

All students taking part in UT-sponsored international travel are automatically enrolled in the UT Overseas Insurance plan through On Call International, which is designed to support you if you become sick or injured while abroad. Overseas Insurance costs $19 per week and is due 10 days prior to your program start date. It includes two weeks of coverage before and after your program dates, free of charge.

Although some students will be dually covered by a national health care program and/or a program provider insurance policy, all UT Austin students are required to enroll in UT’s Overseas Insurance plan. The only exception is UT Austin students studying in their country of citizenship, who must submit a formal request for exemption from UT Austin Overseas Insurance.

Overseas Insurance is not comprehensive health insurance, so we recommend that all students retain their U.S.-based health insurance while they are abroad in case they are forced to return before their program is over for any reason, such as a medical emergency. International students should also be aware that they may need to retain U.S.-based health insurance for visa and immigration purposes.

For full coverage details, review the Overseas Insurance brochure.

Insurance FAQs

What is On Call International?

Visit the On Call International Program Resources page to learn more.

Why am I being charged for two weeks of insurance instead of one?

Insurance is billed in one-week (seven day) blocks. For example, a trip duration of five weeks and one day would round up to six weeks of insurance charges.

Can I get a receipt for the payment of my overseas insurance?

Yes. Email grs@austin.utexas.edu with your EID and program dates to request a receipt. Please allow 3-5 business days for us to process the request.

How do I obtain proof of insurance for visa or border entry requirements?

Email grs@austin.utexas.edu with your EID and program dates to request documentation to serve as proof of insurance. Please allow 3-5 business days for us to process the request.

I am traveling to my home country. How do I get exempted from UT’s Overseas Insurance coverage?

If you are a citizen of the country to which you will be traveling, you need to submit documentation of your citizenship (i.e., copy of your passport) and a formal request for an exemption.

I already have insurance through my study abroad program. Why do I need UT’s Overseas Insurance coverage?

It is UT System policy that all students on UT-affiliated travel be covered by UT Overseas Insurance coverage (unless the individual is traveling to a country where they hold citizenship/valid passport). This process allows the university to enroll students in an adequate base of coverage for medical and security evacuations and accident/sickness insurance should crises arise. It is not uncommon for students participating in study and research abroad to be double covered in terms of international accident and sickness insurance, as many affiliate programs and host countries require separate coverage.

 

International Emergency Card

Download an emergency contact card so you always have easy access to important information while you are abroad.

What Overseas Insurance Covers

This list is intended as a summary and is not inclusive of all services and benefits. All services and benefits are subject to full terms, conditions.

  • Membership with On Call International, a 24/7 emergency assistance provider
  • Medical expenses if you need treatment for injury or illness, including COVID-19, while on a covered trip. Coverage includes expenses for a recurrence or worsening of a pre-existing condition.
  • Mental health medical expenses for a new onset of symptoms or a recurrence or worsening of a pre-existing mental health condition.
  • 24/7 access to Tele-Counseling
  • Medical evacuation
  • Expenses for a person you designate to join you if you are in the hospital for 24 hours or more, if you are medically evacuated, or if you are assaulted
  • Testing for COVID-19 if symptomatic
  • Costs if you are forced to come home because of COVID-19 may be covered in certain circumstances
  • Expenses related to unforeseen quarantine* up to 14 days, if required by government mandate
  • Loss/theft of physical property, such as your phone, laptop or luggage (up to $1,000 maximum in total, and up to $100 maximum per article)
  • Expenses incurred due to travel or luggage delay

*Note: official documentation of a positive COVID-19 test is required; self-administered, at-home tests are not accepted.

What Overseas Insurance DOES NOT Cover

  • Routine care. This includes physicals and any other ongoing, preventative care. This also includes testing for COVID-19 if it is an entry requirement and you do not have symptoms.
  • Ongoing or maintenance care for a pre-existing medical or mental health condition (except in the instance of a recurrence or worsening of symptoms)
  • High risk activities such as skiing, sky diving, SCUBA diving, surfing, white water rafting, or bungee jumping
  • Quarantine for COVID-19 that is a travel requirement for entry or exit, unrelated to a positive test

  • Quarantine for those testing positive for COVID-19 if not required by government mandate

     

How to Use Your Overseas Insurance

Calling On Call International should always be your first step when you need assistance abroad. If you need immediate and urgent medical assistance, please contact local emergency respondents or proceed directly to the emergency room, then contact On Call as soon as it is safe to do so.

On Call International is a 24/7 emergency assistance provider with a global network of medical and security professionals available any time to assist you. They can offer advice, connect you with resources, and work with you to make sure you receive the care and support you need.

Follow these steps to use your Overseas Insurance:

  • Contact the On Call International Global Response Center via phone, live chat, or email:
  • Identify yourself as a UT Austin student.
  • Tell them what assistance you need and follow their instructions.
  • While On Call will always attempt to make payment arrangements for your medical expenses, when traveling internationally you should always be prepared to pay up front for treatment as a precaution. If expenses are self-paid, you can file a claim for reimbursement. Keep all receipts/prescriptions.
  • Record the case number On Call International provides as it will facilitate filing your claim.
  • That’s it! Be sure to respond to messages from On Call International so that they know how you’re doing, and work with them if you need any additional assistance.

Before you Leave

  1. Log into the On Call Plan Information Portal with the UT Group ID 100143CPPD21 to learn more about the services and benefits available to you, gain access to pre-trip resources, and access the Global Risk Intelligence site for country specific health, safety, and cultural information and advice.
  2. Ensure you always have access to On Call contact and plan information in the easiest place to get it – on your phone. Click Plan ID from your mobile device and follow the single prompt to save to the home screen of your phone.

    This is not an app and does not require any login or personal details. Opening the Plan ID from your mobile device will allow you to click-to-dial On Call, open a 24/7 Live Chat link, and access other plan documents such as the full plan description and tele-counseling information.
  3. When On Call receives your trip information, it will be entered in their Travel Monitoring platform, which is powered by OnSolve:
    • Depending upon the risk rating of your destination, you may receive a pre-travel advisory email containing standing health and safety advice.
    • You will be registered to receive critical incident alerts via email (if any are issued) for your destination shortly before your trip, and while you are traveling.
    • You will be registered to use the OnSolve Risk Intelligence app and receive an emailed invitation to download it. To optimize usage of the app, configure the settings as recommended in the Mobile App User Guide.
    • Emails from On Call International (OCI) Alerts are sent from an @onsolve.com email domain. We suggest you take a moment to designate this domain in your email as a Safe Sender.

If you have any questions about the process, please email Global Risk and Safety at grs@austin.utexas.edu.

How To File A Claim

On Call International also manages the Overseas Insurance claims process. If you receive any kind of medical treatment while abroad, be sure to keep all receipts/prescriptions, as you will need them to file a claim.

There is no copay or deductible associated with UT’s plan. For covered expenses, you are eligible for 100% reimbursement up to the prescribed limits. You can use it to cover medical expenses at any hospital or clinic outside of the U.S. You are expected to file medical claims within 90 days of receiving medical care.

To file a claim:

  • Visit www.myoncallportal.com and enter UT Group ID: 100143CPPD21 to download the appropriate claim form.
  • Complete the form
    • Policyholder: The University of Texas System
    • Policy Number: INT06884
  • After you’ve completed the form, scan and attach all supporting documents. For a medical case, that includes:
    • An itemized bill for the treating physician
    • Your prescription and receipt showing your name and the cost of the medication, if applicable
  • Email the completed and signed claim form and all attachments to tpaclaims@oncallinternational.com. Be sure to keep a copy of your completed form and all original documents.
  • It usually takes around 30 days for a claim to process. 

Travel Insurance

You may want to investigate purchasing additional travel insurance that will cover expenses if your flight is canceled or you are recalled because of COVID-19. These expenses will not be covered by UT’s Overseas Insurance, nor will the university reimburse you for those costs. You may also wish to search for coverage for other risks that aren’t covered by UT’s Overseas Insurance.

We recommend that you look at the fine print when considering insurance plans, as many policies have a “pandemic exclusion.” Look for plans that include “cancel for any reason” and "interrupt for any reason" coverage. When selecting a plan, be mindful of the coverage included in the UT Overseas Insurance, so that you don’t unnecessarily duplicate coverages. For example, you can get Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance from InsureMyTrip.

For your convenience, we’ve included a few sites that you can use to research and compare travel insurance policies. This list is not exhaustive, nor does it constitute an endorsement by UT Austin.