>

Vanderbilt International and Domestic Travel FAQ’s

People, Culture and Belonging

Definitions

In-network – Aetna’s national coverage/ Non-Vanderbilt pharmacies. A provider who has a contract with your health insurer or plan who has agreed to provide services to members of a plan. You will pay less if you see a provider in the network. Also called “preferred provider” or “participating provider.” You may find Aetna providers on their website at http://www.aetna.com/docfind/custom/vanderbilt/index.html

Emergency / urgent care service – an emergency is a situation in which you could reasonably expect that the absence of immediate medical attention could result in serious jeopardy to your health, or if you are a pregnant woman, to the health of your unborn child.

Non-emergency/non-urgent services – situations that warrant care for illness or injury but are not emergency care.

University Travel

  • Does VU cover medical services while I am traveling on university travel? What is the level of coverage?
    • There is coverage for both emergency and non-emergency medical services related to an accident, injury or illness first occurring while traveling abroad on university business. For domestic travel within the United States, there is coverage for emergency and non-emergency medical services related to an accident or injury if the accident or injury is related to your employment. Please contact VIRT for assistance in coordinating coverage. (VIRT will subsequently alert Risk & Insurance Management and the Worker Compensation Team.)
      • VIRT:  615-322-2745, virt@vanderbilt.edu.
      • Services will be coordinated by VIRT using Anvil and/or other university insurance resources. Booking travel through Concur will automatically register travel with Anvil. Registration will speed the coordination of care in the event of illness or injury.
    • If you are enrolled in the university health plan, you are covered both during university and personal travel. However, there are some important distinctions:
  • Do I automatically have travel health insurance if I book through Concur?
    • No. GeoBlue is a separate purchase that should be completed and submitted for reimbursement if traveling on university business.
  • What benefit is provided for university travel booked through Concur?
    • Booking university travel through Concur registers your travel for services with Anvil, the university’s International Security Provider. Registration will speed up coordination of care and provide more immediate access to facilities while traveling abroad. 
    • Anvil does not provide health insurance coverage. However, coverage for emergency and non-emergency medical services related to an accident, injury or illness first occurring during university international travel are covered. Costs for maintenance or routine medications are not covered. Costs for preexisting medical conditions are not covered.

International Travel

  • What happens if I have a health event while traveling for the university?
    • There is coverage for both emergency and non-emergency medical services related to an accident, injury or illness first occurring while traveling abroad while on university business. Please contact VIRT for assistance in coordinating coverage.
      • VIRT:  615-322-2745, virt@vanderbilt.edu.
      • Services will be coordinated by VIRT using Anvil and/or other university insurance resources. Booking travel through Concur will automatically register travel with Anvil. Registration will speed coordination of care in the event of illness or injury.
  • Should I purchase travel health insurance if I am traveling internationally on university travel?
  • I am traveling for the university but a third party booked my travel (host institution, professional organization etc.) How can I register my travel with the university in Anvil?
    • If you are traveling on university business and travel was booked outside of Concur, email your travel itinerary to travel@vanderbilt.edu. Your information will be uploaded to the Anvil system.
  • Is medical evacuation covered while traveling for the university?
    • There is coverage for medical evacuation services related to an accident, injury or illness occurring while traveling abroad while on university business. Please contact VIRT for assistance in coordinating coverage.
      • VIRT:  615-322-2745, virt@vanderbilt.edu.
      • Services will be coordinated by VIRT using Anvil and/or other university insurance resources. Booking travel through Concur will automatically register travel with Anvil. Registration will speed coordination of care in the event of illness or injury.
    • Repatriation costs are covered when medically necessary. This may cover some non-medical costs incurred, but not all costs. Please contact VIRT for assistance in coordinating coverage.
      • VIRT:  615-322-2745, virt@vanderbilt.edu.
      • Services will be coordinated by VIRT using Anvil and/or other university insurance resources. Booking travel through Concur will automatically register travel with Anvil. Registration will speed coordination of care in the event of illness or injury.
  • Are the costs of isolation/quarantine covered while traveling for the university?
    • Repatriation costs are covered when medically necessary. This may cover some non-medical costs incurred, but not all costs. Please contact VIRT for assistance in coordinating coverage.
      • VIRT:  615-322-2745, virt@vanderbilt.edu.
      • Services will be coordinated by VIRT using Anvil and/or other university insurance resources. Booking travel through Concur will automatically register travel with Anvil. Registration will speed coordination of care in the event of illness or injury.

Family

  • My spouse and/or children are traveling with me. Does my health insurance cover them when we travel? At what level?
    • If you enrolled your spouse and/or child(ren) in Vanderbilt University’s medical plan, they are covered should healthcare be required during travel. However, there are some important distinctions:

Personal Travel

  • Does my VU health insurance cover me while I am traveling on personal travel? What is the level of coverage?
    • If you are enrolled in the university health plan, you are covered both during university and personal travel. However, there are some important distinctions:
  • Should I purchase travel health insurance if I am traveling?
  • What is the travel coverage provided through the Metlife program for personal travel?
    • If you purchase $10,000 or more of Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance, you receive MetLife's Travel Assistance. Participants have access to assistance when faced with an emergency while traveling internationally or domestically when more than 100 miles away from home. This can be used for personal or university travel.
    • MetLife provides worldwide medical, travel, concierge, legal and financial assistance services through Travel Assistance which includes:
      • medical referrals and appointments with English speaking doctors, dentists and specialists (over 600,000 pre-qualified providers in more than 238 countries) Note: In the event that a hospital does not recognize your medical insurance, this service will assist in validating you and your dependents’ health coverage and/ or advancing funds.
      • hospital admission validation
      • emergency evacuation
      • air and ground ambulance service
      • trained multilingual personnel who can advise and assist you in a travel emergency
      • repatriation benefit
      • return of mortal remains
      • lost document and luggage assistance
    • As long as the service provided is covered, you will not have to pay the provider upfront and await reimbursement.
    • In most instances, AXA, a special travel service administered by AXA Assistance USA, Inc. through an arrangement with MetLife, will arrange required services and AXA will make payment arrangements with the vendor. The Maximum Benefit Amount is 100% of covered expenses up to $200,000 per Eligible Person per trip. For AXA site, you will need a username and password found here.

International Travel

  • Is the deductible the same if I travel internationally?
    • Yes, your deductible for emergency/urgent care services will be at the in-network level. However, if you receive non-emergency/non-urgent services, they will not be covered.
    • If you purchased travel insurance coverage through GEO Blue then non-emergency medical services are covered including the costs for routine or maintenance medications.
  • Is medical evacuation covered through my VU health insurance for personal travel?
    • Medical evacuation is not covered under Vanderbilt University’s medical plan; however, if you are enrolled in AD&D insurance, emergency evacuations may be covered whenever medical facilities are not available locally; necessary transportation, equipment and personnel will be available to evacuate you and your dependents to the nearest medical facility.  AXA Assistance USA, Inc.
    • If you purchased travel insurance coverage through GEO Blue then medical evacuation services are included.
  • Are the costs of isolation/quarantine covered through my health insurance?
    • The university medical plan does not provide coverage for non-medical costs that may be incurred during quarantine.
    • If you purchased travel insurance coverage through GEO Blue then medically necessary repatriation services are covered.

Family

  • What is the out-of-network rate for medical services when traveling internationally?
    • When traveling internationally, emergency services are covered at in-network level
    • Non-emergency/non-urgent services are NOT covered.
  • Is my family covered through the Metlife program?
    • If you elected Family Coverage when you enrolled in AD&D coverage, your family is covered even if they are not traveling with you. Family coverage includes your spouse (up to age 70) and any dependent children between the ages of 1 and 19 years (or up to age 23 if a full-time student).
  • My child is covered through my health policy and is traveling internationally. What is the coverage level?
    • Emergency or urgent care services are covered at the in-network level while non-emergencies/non-urgent care/services are not covered.

Recent News