Insurance Information

All Work & Travel USA students have accident and sickness insurance during their program in the U.S. 

If you arrived in the U.S. on or after January 1, 2012, insurance coverage details differ from previous years. See the brochure about new insurance coverage for details. 2012 participants can also download and complete the Prescription Drug Claim Form to process prescription claims. You can also access all of your coverage details on the Aetna website. If you have additional questions, contact our office for information about your insurance coverage at worktravel@interexchange.org or 800.621.1202.

If you arrived in the U.S. between January 1 and December 31, 2011, please visit the Travel Insurance Services website for Coverage, Claim, Contact and Provider information. The FAQ section below also contains information relevant to those who arrived during 2011.

Remember that not all illnesses are covered by the InterExchange insurance plan. Certain high-risk activities, such as motorcycle riding or hang-gliding, are NOT covered. Illnesses that already existed in your home country (for example: diabetes, depression) are not covered by this policy.  Eye exams and dental exams are not covered by this policy, unless the problem is a result of an accident. 

Prescription Medication

You should bring any medications with you that you are currently taking as the cost for prescription medication can be very expensive in the U.S.  Call your airline to ask how much of the medication you can bring.  You may need to bring a letter from your doctor to verify your prescription.

Workers' Compensation

If you are injured at work, all claims should be referred to your employer's workers' compensation policy.

Insurance Basics

The following information applies to students who arrived between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. 

Those arriving after January 1, 2012, please see the brochure about new insurance coverage for details. 2012 participants can also download and complete the Prescription Drug Claim Form to process prescription claims. You can also access all of your coverage details on the Aetna website. 

Q: What is a Co-Pay?

A: Although your insurance plan will pay most of your medical bill, they do require you, as the patient, to pay a small portion. This portion is called a co-pay.  Under your insurance plan you will have a $40 co-pay for every doctor’s office visit, a hospital stay, or other care. For every visit you will pay $40 and the insurance will pay the remaining expenses. If you visit an out-of-network doctor, you can expect a $100 co-pay for each doctor’s office visit.

Q: What is a Deductible?

A: This is the amount you must pay out of your pocket towards medical expenses before the insurance company is obligated to pay - outside of the USA this is also known as excess. Under your insurance policy you have a $250 deductible for visiting the Emergency Room (unless you are admitted overnight, at which point you will only have a $40 co-pay). This means if the emergency room bill is less than $250 you will have to pay the entire bill, if it is more than $250 then you will only pay $40 and the insurance company will pay the remaining amount.

Q: When I telephone the doctor to make an appointment what do I tell them the name of my insurance is?

A: First Health Preferred Provider Network

Q: Can I go to any doctor?

A: No, you must go to a doctor who accepts your insurance plan. Different doctors work with different insurance companies. Your insurance plan will only pay your medical bill if you visit a doctor that they are in partnership with. For a list of all participating doctors in your area, click here.

Q: What does my insurance not cover?

A: Dental (teeth), vision (eyes), pre-existing conditions, birth control pills, long term treatment & preventative medicine.

Q: What if I lose my insurance confirmation card?

A: The exact same card and brochure are available for you to download and print off of the Travel Insurance Services website.

Q: What do I need to take with me when I go the doctor’s office?

A: You should take with you:

  • Insurance confirmation card with your Individual Policy Number (the card is given to you at Orientation
  • Passport (to use as Identification)
  • DS-2019 Form (just in case they want to see it!)

Q: Who/where do I get my individual insurance policy number from?

A: You do not have an individual policy number.  The group policy number that you need is provided on your insurance card that we give you at Orientation.

Q: What is a claim form?

A: It is a form/application a person must fill in after going to the doctor in order for the insurance company to pay their medical bill.You can download your claim form here.

Q: Who has to file a claim form?

A: All Work & Travel USA participants who go to the doctor must file a claim form.

Q: When should I file the claim form?

A: As soon as possible after going to the doctor’s office.

Q: What does the insurance company need from me in order to process the refund?

A: A signed and dated claim form and either the physician’s bill or a fully itemized statement of charges (a complete list of everything the doctor’s office is making you pay for) with the diagnosis written on the attending physician’s (the doctor whom you saw) letterhead.

Q: If my medical provider sent the bill directly to the insurance claims department do I still have to fill out a claim form?

A: Yes, the claims department still needs a claim form from you in order to identify the medical bill they received from the medical provider.

Q: If my medical provider sent the bill directly to the insurance claims department do I have to submit an additional copy of it with my claim form?

A: No, the exact bill and claim form do not have to be mailed in together. Therefore as long as the medical provider sent in the bill you only have to send in your claim form.

Traveling and Health Insurance

Q: Am I covered under the insurance plan when I travel outside the country?

A: Your health insurance plan does not cover you if you go on vacation back to your home country and get sick. The insurance plan does cover you if you get sick while on vacation in all other countries.