Health and travel insurance

The University of Missouri requires each student participating on an MU study abroad program maintain broad health and accident insurance, including emergency travel insurance, during the entire duration of their study abroad program. To comply with this requirement, the University of Missouri requires that all participants enrolled in the following insurance coverage, with an exception for some affiliated programs (see below).

Insurance enrollment

Mizzou Study Abroad enrolls participants on their programs in the GeoBlue and AIG Travel Guard insurance, and the cost of insurance coverage is billed directly to students’ MU accounts.

MU faculty-led and divisional programs

Students participating in faculty-led programs administered by Mizzou Study Abroad and participants in study abroad programs administered by other divisions will be enrolled in GeoBlue and AIG Travel Guard insurance by their program coordinators. The cost of insurance coverage is included in the program fee for faculty-led and divisional programs.

MU affiliated programs

Only some affiliated program providers have broad health insurance coverage that fulfills the MU insurance requirements, as evaluated by the UM System Office of Risk Management. See the costs tab of your program webpage to see if it meets the MU requirements. Students participating on programs that do not meet the MU requirements will be enrolled in both GeoBlue and AIG Travel Guard insurance policies. All insurance charges are billed directly to students’ MU accounts.

Non-MU programs and university-related international travel

International Programs cannot independently verify sickness and accident insurance coverage provided by non-MU programs. To ensure that students are adequately covered while abroad and to facilitate the university’s ability to provide assistance in cases of emergency, students participating in either non-MU study abroad or any university-related international travel — whether independent or with a group — are required to self-enroll in GeoBlue insurance. Students must provide proof of GeoBlue enrollment by uploading their insurance card in myStudyAbroad.

The fee for GeoBlue and AIG Travel Guard is currently $48.40 for 30 days. MU participants in non-MU programs and university-related international travel can enroll online for both policies at GeoBlue (credit card only).

How to enroll in GeoBlue insurance:
  1. Go to the GeoBlue website.
  2. Select “Plan Options” from the main menu.
  3. Select “enter your group access code here” under the heading “Self-Enroll in your Your Institution’s Group Plan.”
  4. Enter the access code provided in your myStudyAbroad application.
  5. Complete the enrollment information.

You must enter the start and end dates for your study abroad or university-related international travel program, and are required to maintain enrollment throughout the entire duration of your program. Note: If you do not have a credit card, contact the Office of International Health, Safety (globalhealthsafety@missouri.edu) for assistance.

International health insurance

In addition to providing broad sickness and accident insurance, the GeoBlue policy provides emergency travel medical insurance, including coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, which generally is not provided by domestic insurance policies. GeoBlue also has identified a network of physical and mental health care providers worldwide who will provide treatment and file claims on your behalf without requiring payment at the time of treatment. Prior to departure for study abroad, GeoBlue assists students in establishing treatment for ongoing medical conditions while abroad (including health care provider appointments and continuing medications). For an overview of the features and benefits of this plan, see the policy brochure.

  • Zero deductible, no co-pays, no co-insurance
  • Pre-departure consultations with GeoBlue Global Health and Safety care team
  • Routine, non-emergency care (including appointment assistance)
  • Continuing services needed for pre-existing condition (such as physical therapy, allergy shots, counseling, routine blood work, etc.
  • Treatment for accidents, injuries, illness, etc.
  • Mental health services (including counseling/therapy)
  • Prescription medications
  • Care coordination and quality assurance
  • Remote counseling and telehealth services

In event of a medical emergency, go immediately to the nearest physician or hospital.

Additional benefits requiring pre-approval from GeoBlue
  • Emergency medical benefits
  • Emergency family travel arrangements
  • Medical evacuation

These remote services complement the services provided locally for same-day medical consultation.

Global TeleMD
  • Connect with a network of global doctors available by phone or video call for same-day medical consultation.
  • No additional charge for services.
  • Can be used to order prescriptions and send referrals to specialists.
  • For non-emergency use only; for emergencies, call the local 911-equivalent.
Global Wellness Assist
  • Provides confidential support 24/7.
  • Professionals can assist with a variety of mental health and wellness issues, including managing anxiety and depression, handling stress, managing academic and workplace pressures and more.
  • Six one-hour remote sessions at no cost, with the possibility to add additional sessions as needed.

Your GeoBlue insurance includes a post-departure trip interruption benefit that covers transportation costs up to $1,500 for students and other eligible participants if your program travel is interrupted or discontinued for the following reasons:

  • Due to a covered illness or injury that is so disabling as to cause a reasonable person to delay, cancel or interrupt their trip. This benefit will reimburse up to $1,500 for additional transportation expenses needed to reach the scheduled end point of the program travel or to the location where the student can rejoin their program.
  • Due to a diagnosis with or a positive test for an infectious disease that delays the student’s return to their home destination because of restrictions imposed by the host country government that prevent the student from using their previously booked transportation.

In addition, GeoBlue covers up to $2,000 for lodging costs (up to $200 per day for hotel and meals) when the host country government mandates quarantine outside of the student’s program housing. The lodging benefit does not apply if the student’s current housing meets the host country’s quarantine or self-isolation rules.

To submit a claim to GeoBlue
  • Obtain verification from a medical facility or medial professional that demonstrates you received a positive test for an infectious disease.
  • Pay out of pocket for the expenses (e.g., change flight fees or hotel accommodations), keep the receipts for proof of payment and file a claim for reimbursement with GeoBlue.
  • Required documentation for claim:
    • Doctor’s note
    • Medical facility/professional documentation of positive test result
    • Itemized invoice/receipts
    • Proof of payment

After enrollment

After you have been enrolled in GeoBlue insurance and have received your medical insurance ID card from GeoBlue, you should go to the GeoBlue website. Using the certificate number of the front of the card, sign in to the site to obtain comprehensive information relating to this plan, including a doctor/hospital locator, information about how to request medical services and arrange a direct pay payment guarantee, translations of medical terms and phrases, and city security profiles. Download the GeoBlue mobile app to have convenient access to all of these resources. Your family can access this same information by logging in to the GeoBlue website. Your family will need your email address and GeoBlue password to sign in.

In the event of a medical emergency, go immediately to the nearest physician or hospital and contact GeoBlue at +1 610-254-8771 (collect calls accepted).

Emergency security evacuation insurance

The University of Missouri System has partnered with AIG Travel Guard, a leading provider of international travel assistance services. The AIG Travel Guard coverage for MU students participating in study abroad or university-related international travel programs includes emergency evacuation in case of a political emergency or natural disaster, and real-time security intelligence. You will find more information about AIG Travel Guard in your myStudyAbroad account.