TO: Purdue faculty and staff

FROM: Brian Harley

RE: International insurance

DATE: April 18, 2007

 

The Office of International Programs wishes to inform faculty/staff who travel overseas on Purdue business about their coverage options. The following "frequently asked questions" respond to common questions, but with auxiliary information provided in addenda to this memo.

Question #1: Do I automatically have medical evacuation benefits through Worker's compensation when I travel for Purdue business? And what about repatriation of bodily remains in the event of death?

Yes, regardless of the insurance benefits package chosen, employees who have a signed "permission to travel" form and incur an event that is approved as a Worker's Compensation claim have both. Medical evacuation benefits will cover what is determined to be medically necessary at that time and the repatriation limit is $100,000.

Question #2: Is this all staff, including graduate students?

Yes, anyone who is receiving Purdue pay is covered. Those receiving remuneration through fellowships may or may not be covered so these would need to be reviewed on an individual basis. Alternative international insurance will be required through the Purdue Office of Risk Management or through obtaining an International Student Identity Card (see appendix C).

Question #3: What if I get injured while doing a leisure activity overseas? Am I still covered?

If the day of the occurrence is included as work-time on the "permission to travel" form, then yes. But if the employee is taking personal time e.g. vacation, associated with the work trip, then he or she is not covered. Therefore, if any non-work days will be in effect overseas, international insurance should be obtained (see addenda B and C). Additionally, Worker's Compensation covers accidents/illnesses that occur while the individual is performing duties on behalf of the University. On days that are approved as work days, the individual must be performing work activities when an accident/injury occurs.

Question #4: What about insurance for my traveling companion who is not a Purdue employee?

Anyone can obtain MEDEX coverage (addendum B) and any teacher is eligible for the International Teacher Identity card (addendum C).

Question #5: Who should I contact for more information?

Employees should contact Teresa Wesner, Benefit Manager, Retirement/Life/Disability. The given memo is accurate at the time of its writing and is meant to relay information to colleagues on an as-needed basis. But the Office of International Programs does not officially speak for Purdue Human Resources on these matters.

Finally, please find the following addenda regarding Worker's Compensation, MEDEX, and the International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC).

 

ADDENDUM A: Worker's Compensation

(from Teresa Wesner, Benefit Manager, Retirement/Life/Disability, Purdue University)

This is a benefit of employment, regardless of the employee's choice of medical benefits.

All employees (including graduate staff, but not fellows) on Purdue business going overseas have coverage through Worker's Compensation (WC) as outlined by the Indiana Worker's Compensation Act. Employees conducting business for Purdue are eligible and this is not related to the completion of the form 17 before departure. Should an accident or injury occur while performing business for Purdue, the following benefits apply:

Coverage includes payment of approved medical expenses, and replacement of wages at

66 2/3 % if an injury/illness occurs that makes an individual unable to work for more than seven (7) calendar days.

Liberty Mutual is the current Purdue-approved vendor to administer the Worker's Compensation program. Claims must reported immediately to Liberty Mutual by a supervisor at 1-800-362-0000 and Liberty Mutual must be consulted regarding medical treatment (beyond immediate urgent treatment) to ensure it is eligible for payment. This includes follow up care, additional diagnostic testing, hospitalization etc.

In the event of death, repatriation of remains is covered by WC through a combination of the Foreign Coverage Endorsement and the Repatriation Endorsement. The dollar amount limit of this coverage is $100,000.

Regarding medical emergency evacuation, it is covered if necessary (as determined by agreement between Liberty Mutual and Purdue University.) The dollar amount limit of this coverage is not assigned generally but is determined by what is medically necessary at the time of the occurrence.

Note that Workers Compensation is not necessarily in effect when an employee is involved in personal time (e.g. vacation) as part of the overall trip overseas. In an employee takes additional time as vacation or personal time (e.g. touring on the weekend or evening) he/she would not be covered under WC.

The Purdue contact for this program can be contacted at 765-494-1691.

Additional information from Mark Kebert, Risk Management: If someone is faculty or staff and are enjoying Purdue staff health care benefits, those benefits generally are worldwide for emergency treatment. If they have a heart attack, sever a finger or the like, coverage may apply under our Purdue health care programs. Non-emergency treatments and normal prescription refills generally are not covered internationally. This information has been supplied by Staff Benefits. It is highly recommended that you call them and confirm what coverages you may have before you travel.

ADDENDUM B: MEDEX

This group provides complete medical insurance, emergency evacuation, repatriation and worldwide 24hr. medical and personal security assistance for people working, traveling or living away from home for extended periods of time.

The premium is approximately $17.50 per week (plus or minus $3.50, depending on the choice of deductible) for between two to 26 weeks. Benefits include:

$1,000,000 Accident and Sickness Expense Benefit (subject to a $100 deductible)

Medical Evacuation Benefit

Repatriation of Remains Benefit

$ 5,000 Emergency Dental Expense Benefit

$ 25,000 Lifetime Maternity Expense Benefit

$100,000 Home Country Return Benefit

$ 25,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefit

Option for $100,000 Additional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefit

MEDEX Worldwide Travel Assistance Services (800-537-2029; 410-453-6300) http://www.medexassist.com/

 

 

MEDEX also provides optional "Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance."

Historically MEDEX has been required for employees on Purdue business funded by USAID.

ADDENDUM C: International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC)

This is available at the STA Travel Office of the Purdue Memorial Union or online.

http://www.hotel.purdue.edu/ServicesSTA.htm or www.myisic.com

The ITIC provides several benefits including medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. It is a widely recognized document that is accepted around the world as proof of teacher status, and is now the most widely accepted form of teacher identification. The ITIC offers teachers and professors hundreds of dollars in savings on travel, accommodation, sports rentals, and admissions to museums and cultural attractions.

The cost is $22 per calendar year (plus $3 for a photograph unless you provide one). Benefits include:

• $300,000 emergency evacuation
• 25,000 repatriation of remains
• 25,000 accidental medical expense (includes $500 emergency dental coverage)
• 5,000 accidental death & dismemberment - air
• 1,000 accidental death & dismemberment - all other
• 500 lost document replacement (includes your ITIC card)
• 165 per day sickness/hospital benefit (up to 61 days)
• 100 baggage delay
• -0- free Travel Guard Assistance 

The insurance included with your card is the minimum coverage recommended for traveling abroad. All travelers should consider purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy before embarking on any journey.

Insurance coverage is only valid outside of the United States. Coverage begins the day the card is issued and remains until card expires at the end of the calendar year. There are no deductibles required. 

Travel Insurance provides access to an emergency help line. The help line links the client to a local legal advisor and provides an advance of funds to assist with legal expenses. Further, it helps with lost tickets and can convey emergency messages to home. If the client is out of funds the help line can facilitate an emergency cash transfer from your family or friends to your bank account or credit card. Emergency help line: Travel Guard Assistance at 1-877-370-4742 in the U.S. or collect at 1-715-345-0505 if calling from outside the U.S.

Access to "ISIConnect" is another benefit, where the client can choose either or both a phone card and or travel cell phone. With the phone card it is estimated that one can save up to 70% on international calls from over 151 countries. With Cellular/Mobile service, they claim to offer a mobile solution for you whether you are traveling overseas or within the U.S. plus low cost international calling options from all over the globe. Further, the cell phone is yours to keep with no contracts, no plans and no surprise bills and one can add more call time wherever you are in the world, online or over the phone. 

In sum, Purdue employees are covered while on university business overseas per the terms cited in the section about Worker's Compensation. However it is recommended that employees additionally secure either MEDEX coverage or the ITIC, depending on coverage preferred, in the event that Worker's Compensation benefits would not be in effect due to the employee being overseas on vacation in conjunction with Purdue business. Furthermore, the insurance providers will help in expediting these processes.