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Frequently Asked Questions

For Students Studying Outside of the U.S.

Download an enrollment form here. You can mail or fax it to us with payment. Enroll online now with a credit card payment.

Yes, once your payment has gone through, you will receive an email confirmation with the following: medical ID card, consulate letter and a claim form. If you would like for CISI to mail you a hard copy, please contact the plan administrator at (800) 303-8120, option #4 or by email at cisiwebadmin@culturalinsurance.com.
You may enroll up until two days before your requested insurance start date. In case insurance slips your mind on the day of your departure, please visit our Download Center for the study abroad application and fax the completed application to (203) 399-5596 or email it to cisiwebadmin@culturalinsurance.com.
Yes, once you have enrolled, you will receive an email confirmation with your consulate letter addressed to the Consulate General of the hosting country.
Enroll online here. You can click on the hyperlink of a field to get more information about that field. If you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Plan Administrator by email at cisiwebadmin@culturalinsurance.com or call (800) 303-8120, option # 4.
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 that can be downloaded here.
No. You are covered worldwide except for in the United States.
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.
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. Download the enrollment form. To enroll for an extra month of insurance online now, login to myCISI.
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.
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. Enroll online now.
The insurance premium is calculated on a monthly basis. The minimum amount of coverage that can be purchased, therefore, is one month. Generally, participants pay up front for the full period of coverage they are requesting (up to 12 months).
It is recommended that a participant pay up front 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.
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 emailed 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 by email or by phone at (800) 303-8120, option # 4.
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 email cisiwebadmin@culturalinsurance.com.
For help locating a provider overseas, contact the assistance service by calling the collect number on the insurance ID card.
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 organization, CareMed. For individual coverage, please visit their website: www.caremed-travel.com.
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 organization, CareMed. Learn more about individual coverage through CareMed.
Yes, CISI offers a Comprehensive plan paid at 100% up to the maximum benefit, with a $0 deductible. 
Please dial (800) 303-8120 or email cisiwebadmin@culturalinsruance.com we can easily email you with a new Id card within a few minutes.

For Students or Scholars Coming to the U.S.

For fastest service, download an application and fax to CISI with payment information and a copy of your I-20 or DS2019.
Access a listing of providers in the U.S. who participate with Aetna located in your area. For help locating a provider overseas, contact the assistance service by calling the collect number on your insurance ID card.
To use your insurance in 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 utilizes Aetna as their Preferred Provider Network. Access a listing of preferred providers in your area. Arranging services through a preferred provider is not required,but will help reduce any potential out-of-pocket expenses.
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 long can my coverage be valid for?

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 email cisiwebadmin@culturalinsurance.com.

Where can I access additional claim forms?

Download a generic claim form in the CISI Download Center.

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 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 up front 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 sponsor of a small group of students that is traveling to the U.S. Can I enroll the participants as a group?

Yes, you may request an enrollment template by contacting the Plan Administrator at cisiwebadmin@culturalinsurance.com. Enrollments will be processed in-house and all materials will be mailed to the leader/contact of the program.
To contact an Account Executive for a group quote, please dial (800) 303-8120, option # 3, or email cisiwebadmin@culturalinsurance.com, or Request a Quote Online.

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 email cisiwebadmin@culturalinsurance.com.

Does your International Student & Scholar plan meet U.S department visa regulations?

Yes, the International student & Scholar plan meets all U.S. department regulations.

I misplaced my medical ID card. What should I do?

Please dial (800) 303-8120 or email cisiwebadmin@culturalinsruance.com we can easily email you with a new Id card within a few minutes.


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