International Travel Health Insurance

Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) offers comprehensive insurance coverage for international travelers, to include accident and health, medical evacuation and repatriation.  CISI insurance is meant to supplement, not replace, travelers' regular insurance plans.  It is NOT travel insurance, so cannot be used to cover the cost of cancelled travel, lost luggage, and the like.

Purchasing CISI insurance is not required but strongly encouraged for the following individuals:

• faculty and assistants employed by UWM who conduct research abroad;
• faculty and staff attending international conferences;
• faculty and staff conducting sponsored site visits abroad; and
• faculty and staff serving as part of an official UWM delegation abroad.

Eligibility

CISI international health insurance is a special plan developed for students on UW-System university study abroad and exchange programs. UWM faculty and staff on official university business abroad also qualify for coverage.  For others, CIE determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis.  Others may include:  NCAA and club sport athletes; band and student organization members; non-credit educational tour participants sponsored through continuing education; Fulbright and other grant-funded group projects.

If you are unsure about your eligibility you should submit a report with the following information to CIE's Study Abroad Office no later than two weeks before your scheduled international travel (hand deliver to Pearse 166 or e-mail to overseas@uwm.edu):

• Travel dates
• Destination/s (include day-to-day itinerary, if available)
• Purpose of trip
• Relationship to UWM

Following receipt of eligibility applications, CIE, in consultation with UWM's Legal Affairs and Risk Management offices, reviews applications to determine eligibility.  Review criteria include:

• the endeavor's alignment with UWM's mission;
• its potential benefit and whether the university is able to ensure adherence to legal and risk management principles; and
• whether an agent of the university is associated with the group as an advisor.

Following review, CIE will contact applicants with an eligibility decision.  Qualifying applicants will then be asked to provide the personal information to be used in purchasing individual CISI policies.  CIE eligibility decisions are final and may not be appealed.

Cost

The charge for CISI international health insurance is $50 for the first month of coverage, plus $37 for any additional months of coverage.  Cost proration for travel lasting less than one month is not possible.

Payment

To purchase CISI international health insurance, complete and submit this form to the Study Abroad Office (Pearse 166) no later than one week before your scheduled international travel.  Payment can be made via personal check (made payable to "UWM") or via UWM account transfer.

Claims

Medical facilities around the world are typically quite good. U.S. medical insurance, like CISI, is often not always accepted at the time of service, however.  This means that doctors and hospitals often expect cash or credit card payment. It is important therefore to save all receipts related to any medical service, then submit them along with a CISI claim for payment after returning to the United States.

Questions?  Contact the Study Abroad Office: 414/229-5182  |  overseas@uwm.edu