Insurance for Travel Abroad programs
If you are a student traveling abroad in a university-sponsored program, USC wants to ensure that you are covered by health insurance.
For USC Students with the university Student Health Insurance Plan (through Aetna)
If you are already enrolled in the USC Student Health Insurance Plan (provided by Aetna), you have your regular coverage benefits as part of your annual plan, plus the additional benefits:
- Zero deductible for eligible medical expenses while overseas (up to $250,000)
- International assistance coordinated through ISOS Global Assistance, with insurance coverage provided by CHUBB
- No additional actions or signups are required.
For USC Students with another insurance provider
If you are not enrolled already in the USC Student Health Insurance Plan, and you are studying abroad in a USC-sponsored overseas program, you will be automatically charged for the USC Student Health Insurance Plan for Students Studying Overseas for the duration of your program.
While traveling in the program, students need to carry two cards in case of a medical emergency or urgent care needs:
- a USC identification card and
- the International SOS identification card
For Students and Parents: How it Works
Through the USC insurance program for university-sponsored travel/study programs, care coordination is contracted with International SOS.
- Enter USC membership number 11BSGC000010 in the member portal section to access services.
- For additional convenience, download the International SOS app for your mobile phone.
If non-urgent medical care is advised by ISOS:
ISOS will either schedule an appointment or provide the student with a provider’s name and address.
If urgent medical care is required:
The student or representative should contact ISOS as soon as possible to arrange care.
For Program Coordinators: Overseas Programs Student Insurance Registration Process
1. A faculty member or staff member of the department must send an overseas student roster of students participating in the program to studyabroad@usc.edu. The roster is required no less than 6 weeks prior to departure.
- Action required: download the roster form, complete and return to studyabroad@usc.edu.
2. Overseas Insurance Coordinator (OIC) verifies insurance coverage:
- If a student is not on the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), the student is charged on their bursar account for the duration of the program (minimum of a two week rate).
- If the student is on SHIP, student is charged per semester at the on-camp U.S. rate.
- The student health fee (SHF) is waived if the USC-sponsored overseas lasts a full semester.
3. OIC prepares student packets containing the following:
- Letter of certification (from insurance carrier Chubb)
- Summary of benefits
- Flyer describing the ISOS app and instructions on how to download
- An ISOS information card
- A “reminder” letter highlighting medical services are only covered for non-routine care
4. OIC will contact the department representative when packets are ready, at which point the department may:
- Pick up packets for distribution; OR
- Arrange an in-person orientation with a USC Student Health representative to provide information, answer questions, and distribute the packets.
5. The department’s final program roster is then added to the USC Student Health master roster of insurance coverage for students in university-sponsored study abroad programs.
Questions?
Overseas Insurance Coordinator (OIC)
Valerie Hill
vhill@usc.edu
(213) 821-1550
Emergency Program Contacts
Primary: Nytosha Coleman
njcolema@usc.edu
(213) 821-4393
Additional contact: Monique Menke
mmenke@usc.edu
(213) 740-7726