Frequently Asked Questions?

• How do I use my CISI insurance overseas?
• How do I use my CISI insurance in the U.S.?
• How long will it take to be reimbursed for medical expenses paid out-of-pocket?
• How do I sign up for additional coverage either before or after my program?
• Where can I access additional claim forms?
• Are pre-existing conditions covered?
• What is the quickest way to enroll myself for an individual plan and receive my insurance materials as soon as possible?
• What is the minimum coverage period I can purchase on an individual plan?
• Do I have to pay up front for the full period of insurance?
• I am the leader of a small group of students that is traveling overseas. Can I enroll the participants as a group?
• I am the director of study abroad/international programs at a university or college in the U.S. How do I get a group quote for insurance?
• I am receiving a bill for medical services that I thought my insurance was going to pay for. What should I do?
• How do I get help locating a medical provider and/or hospital?
• I am looking to travel the world. What type of insurance can you offer me?
• I am looking to work overseas and before my employer's insurance begins, I need temporary coverage for my spouse and I. How can you help me?

To use your insurance overseas, present your card to your medical provider at the time of service. Foreign providers can contact your assistance service toll-free to verify eligibility and/or benefits 24-7-365. If you are still required to pay for any medical services, medicines, or equipment out-of-pocket, you should submit those bills and/or receipts to CISI for reimbursement, along with a completed claim form.

How do I use my CISI insurance in the U.S.?

To use your insurance in the U.S., present your card to your medical provider at the time of service. Medical providers can contact CISI directly, toll-free at (800) 303-8120 to verify eligibility and/or benefits, from 9AM to 5PM EST. CISI is affiliated with the First Health Network through Hygeia. For a listing of preferred providers in your area, please click here. Arranging services through a preferred provider is not required, but will help reduce any potential out-of-pocket expenses.

How long will it take to be reimbursed for medical expenses paid out-of-pocket?

Turnaround for claim payments is generally 2-3 weeks from receipt date. To check the status of your claim, contact CISI at (800) 303-8120 from 9AM to 5PM EST.

How do I sign up for additional coverage either before or after my program?

To enroll for up to one month of coverage either before your program start date or after your program end date, you will need to complete an enrollment form for our individual study abroad plan. To download that form, click here. To enroll on-line now, click here.

If you are an international student in the U.S., your insurance can be valid for as long as your J-1, F-1, or M-1 visa is valid. To extend your coverage, please contact your Plan Administrator at (800) 303-8120 or e-mail cisiwebadmin@culturalinsurance.com.

If you are a U.S. Visitor, your insurance can be valid for up to six months at a time only. To extend your coverage, please contact your Plan Administrator at (800) 303-8120 or e-mail cisiwebadmin@culturalinsurance.com.

Where can I access additional claim forms?

If you are currently insured by a group plan and know your policy number and member login password, click here to access your insurance materials, including a claim form.

To download a generic claim form, please click here.

Are pre-existing conditions covered?

There is no coverage for pre-existing conditions on any of the individual products. Because group plans are customizable, those plans may or may not cover pre-existing conditions. If you are unsure about your benefits, please contact a Benefit Analyst at (800) 303-8120, option # 1. Please have your policy number ready. In any case, pre-existing conditions are covered in the event of a medical evacuation.

What is the quickest way to enroll myself for an individual plan and receive my insurance materials as soon as possible?

Enrollment confirmation, including personalized ID card, Summary of Coverage, claim form, and consulate letter is just a few clicks away with our online enrollment option for study abroad. Click here to enroll now! For fastest enrollment service on other individual plans, download the application from our website and fax to us with payment information and copy of I-20 and DS2019 (for international students and scholars only).

What is the minimum coverage period I can purchase on an individual plan?

The insurance premium is calculated on a monthly basis. The minimum amount of coverage that can be purchased, therefore, is one month. For international students and scholars, we suggest purchasing at least three months of coverage at a time for extended stays in the U.S. Generally, participants pay up front for the full period of coverage they are requesting (up to 12 months).

Do I have to pay up front for the full period of insurance?

It is recommended that a participant pay upfront for the full period of insurance that is needed. However, a participant may choose to renew/extend the policy on a monthly basis. This choice requires a written request and additional payment for each time of renewal/extension. There is currently no automated way to renew coverage.

I am the leader of a small group of students that is traveling overseas. Can I enroll the participants as a group?

Yes, via our Group Online Enrollment under our individual plan. This option allows for fast enrollment with instant confirmation and receipt of insurance materials for the entire group. You may also complete an enrollment template, which can be e-mailed to the Plan Administrator at enrollments@culturalinsurance.com. In this case, enrollments will be processed in-house and all materials will be mailed to the leader/contact of the program. To download an enrollment template, please contact the Plan Administrator at enrollments@culturalinsurance.com, or by phone at (800) 303-8120, option # 4.

I am the director of study abroad/international programs at a university or college in the U.S. How do I get a group quote for insurance?

To contact an Account Executive for a group quote, please dial (800) 303-8120, option # 3, or e-mail enrollments@culturalinsurance.com.

I am receiving a bill for medical services that I thought my insurance was going to pay for. What should I do?

Contact the provider to be sure that they have your correct insurance information on file and that a claim has been submitted directly to CISI. If so, contact CISI to check the status of your claim at (800) 303-8120, option # 1, or e-mail cisiwebadmin@culturalinsurance.com.

How do I get help locating a medical provider and/or hospital?

To access a listing of providers in the U.S. who participate with the First Health Network and are located in your area, click here. For help locating a provider overseas, contact the assistance service by calling the collect number on your insurance ID card.

I am looking to travel the world. What type of insurance can you offer me?

The insurance coverage we provide is specifically designed for U.S. citizens engaged in cultural exchanges through their U.S. institutions or a recognized study abroad program. If you are looking for health insurance coverage while travelling overseas, then we recommend insurance with our sister company, CareMed.

For individual coverage, please visit their website: www.caremed-travel.com.

I am looking to work overseas and before my employer's insurance begins, I need temporary coverage for my spouse and I. How can you help me?

The insurance coverage we provide is specifically designed for U.S. citizens engaged in cultural exchanges through their U.S. institutions or a recognized study abroad program. If you are looking for health insurance coverage while travelling overseas, then we recommend insurance with our sister company, CareMed.

For individual coverage, please visit their website: www.caremed-travel.com.

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