Don’t forget your health insurance!
Your IENA Cultural Exchange program is just around the corner, and it is almost time for you to begin your summer adventure! Before you travel to the US, there are some important pre-departure tasks to complete for your health insurance.
All exchange visitors sponsored by IENA must be covered by the IENA medical insurance for the entire duration of your stay in the US. This is a Department of State requirement for the BridgeUSA program. This is not just your work dates, but must start with the date you arrive in the US, until the date you depart the US. Therefore, once you book your flights, you must login to your IENA account and adjust your insurance dates of coverage to match your flight dates.
The cost of health insurance and medical visits differs around the world, and unfortunately in the US, healthcare is very expensive.
We cannot stress enough how important it is to extend your insurance coverage for the entirety of your stay in the US, or you may be in violation of your program and personally liable for full medical costs if you are not insured!
- Print our your insurance card and carry it in your wallet!
- Before visiting a doctor or a medical facility, always call the phone number listed on your insurance card first! The insurance company will help you find a local doctor, urgent care, or hospital that is in-network. This means the insurance company will help you find the most affordable treatment or location for your visit. Always call the insurance company first, unless you are experiencing a true medical emergency!
- IENA’s Health Insurance has a $50 copay. This means if you visit the doctor, you will pay $50 for your visit, with possible additional charges depending on any necessary treatment
- If you visit an Emergency Room and are not admitted, you will pay $350. You will be personally responsible for this fee and required to pay out of pocket!
HOW TO ADJUST/CHANGE YOUR INSURANCE DATES ON IENA.ORG
1. Visit your “To Do List” and scroll down to “My Insurance Coverage.” If you have not been enrolled in insurance yet, you will see two options:
-Input your flight details now: click here to input your flight arrival and departure dates if you have already booked your flights.
-Remind me later, I have not yet booked my flights: click here if you have not booked your flights yet
2. Once your flights are booked, please select the first option. This will bring you to an information page about insurance. Here, you can view your current insurance dates, which initially will match your DS-2019 Form. Please record your flight arrival and departure dates on this page. This will automatically update your insurance dates to match your travel dates.
3. When you want to extend your insurance dates and click the orange tab, you will be asked to activate your insurance account with Secutive. You will need your SEVIS number to do so, and will then be able to adjust your insurance dates and print your insurance card.
As you are adjusting your insurance dates, please remember the following:
-You are only eligible to stay in the US for up to 30 days past your last day of work (your contract dates are listed on the DS-2019 form). You will be in violation of your program if you remain in the US longer than 30 days after camp. As a result, insurance will not be issued beyond 30 days after your last day of work.
-If your insurance coverage exceeds 4 months (123 days), you will be required to pay for an extra month of insurance beyond 4 months. There is an extra fee for this. If you select dates that are longer than 4 months, you will be invoiced directly for this extra insurance time. Please note, your new insurance dates will not be confirmed until this invoice is paid!
Here are some helpful links about IENA’s Insurance:
-View IENA’s Insurance Policy Info here
-Download the IENA Insurance Guide IMPORTANT: READ THIS GUIDE BEFORE USING YOUR INSURANCE
-Visit the insurance company directly (you cannot adjust your dates from their website, but can view your policy and other details)
Interested in additional Travel Insurance?
If you have not already done so, you are still eligible to register for IENA’s additional Trip Cancellation/ Interruption insurance. You can find out more information about this policy here.
Your health insurance is vital to your program, so please ensure you are completing these necessary steps before you travel!