Health Insurance

All students studying abroad are required to maintain the Northeastern University Student Health Plan (NUSHP) or a substitute healthcare plan. An International Student Identification Card (ISIC) will be provided by NU.

Some programs require coverage in addition to NUSHP or your health insurance plan provided by your parents. Please review your host institutions insurance policy.

If you plan to waive NUSHP, consult with your health insurance provider to insure that it offers comparable international coverage. Also, remember to inform the person receiving your mail that they must complete and return the waiver form. Otherwise, you will be automatically billed. If you want to waive coverage before your departure, contact the Controller's office at 249 Richards, 617-373-2111.

Below is a BRIEF description of NUSHP and ISIC coverage. You need to read the NUSHP and ISIC booklets to learn more about the details of their coverage as well as general exclusions and exceptions.

Northeastern University Student Health Plan (NUSHP)

• If you have NUSHP, you will be covered for most medical procedures while overseas. However, since you will not have access to the doctors and hospitals that are a part of NUSHIP's network, you will be responsible for paying 20% of any costs you incur.
  Note: NUSHP requires that you pay your total medical expenses up front and then submit your claim for reimbursement.
• NUSHP includes Worldwide Assistance Services. This is in addition to your medical coverage and gives you unlimited medical evacuation and repatriation of remains coverage with no up front cost to you (see definitions below).
• Medical evacuation occurs when you need to be transported from one medical facility to another or returned to the US. Worldwide Assistance will pay for this, if you call them first and they make all the arrangements.
• Emergency evacuation is when you need to be transported from the location of the incident to a medical facility for initial emergency medical care. Worldwide Assistance will NOT provide you with this service nor will they reimburse you for the cost. However, ISIC does provide basic emergency evacuation coverage. See below.

International Student Identity Card (ISIC) Coverage

• This coverage includes: sickness hospital benefit, accident medical expense, accidental death and dismemberment, emergency evacuation, and repatriation of remains.
• Please keep in mind that ISIC coverage is basic, and is not sufficient coverage for most serious emergencies.
• Also, like NUSHIP, you must pay first and then submit your claim.

SOS International Assistance Services

SOS Scholastic Traveler is a full medical and security assistance program, providing students with comprehensive protection and complete peace of mind. As with medical evacuations, International SOS is on standby around the world to help Members who find themselves caught in civil unrest or potential turmoil.

SOS monitors world events and when necessary will arrange for security evacuations to the nearest safe haven. In the past few years, SOS security teams and chartered aircraft have evacuated Members from hotspots in the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. While not all incidents result in an evacuation, daily security information at the SOS website and via email updates gives clients the latest news and analysis to help avoid problems and to assist in risk management assessment. Students will be given a card with contact phone numbers.

For more information: SOS International Assistance Services.

• What to Do in an Emergency
• Security Concerns
• Health Insurance
• Health Information
• Safety Information
• Disability Resource Center
• GLBT