Travel often, travel
safely, travel covered  

Programmatic responsibilities in teaching, research, extension and economic development afford many of us the opportunity to travel throughout the country and overseas.

It is prudent to understand the extent of your medical coverage before you hop in the car or board a plane to destinations outside Columbia.

This month's Prescience, should help answer questions you might have. But before traveling, we suggest you talk to your benefits representative for more details.

Many CAFNR faculty and staff find the opportunity to travel a rewarding and exciting part of their job responsibilities. Travel provides the opportunity to meet new people, visit other educational or research facilities, try new foods and see new sights. Most often our responsibilities call for travel around the state, region and country. What happens if you are sick or injured while traveling in the United States? Assuming that you have enrolled in the UM Choice Plus POS Program through the MU Faculty and Staff Benefits office, you are covered either though a network provider or, less desirably, an out-of-network provider. You can locate network providers with the help of the "myuhc" online provider directory.

The directory can be searched by location or physician name and should prove useful in locating in-network medical assistance. Additionally, you can query the database for primary care physicians, specialists, hospitals and facilities.

Regardless of whether we’re within the borders of the U.S. or out, there is always the chance of illness or injury. What are your options should this happen while you are traveling out of the country? Does our medical benefits plan provide coverage? What is the extent of the coverage?

In the case of emergency, seek medical care first.  According to the Faculty and Staff Benefits office, the common definition of emergency is “the sudden onset of a condition that would cause the prudent person to seek immediate medical care due to fear of loss of life, limb or bodily function.” In case of emergency, you should contact your physician or United Health Care as soon as reasonably possible. You should always travel with your United Health Care identification card.  

A little-known aspect of our medical plan is the additional coverage provided for international travelers automatically if you are enrolled on the Choice Plus POS plan —  the WORLDRISK  program through AIG International Services. This coverage provides:

• Referral to English-speaking physicians
• Advance payment of hospital expenses
• Guarantee of hospitalization fee
• Medical evaluation
• Medical case monitoring
• Medical records and medical medication shipment
• Repatriation of mortal remains
• Several pre-trip and en route assistance services

It is important to note that the AIG plan offers “assistance” and “coordination” when dealing with a medical emergency or, in the event of death, the repatriation of remains.  By contrast, other plans are available (at additional cost) to provide financial support for these emergencies. One plan currently being used by CAFNR faculty and staff is MEDEX Plus Assistance Services. This plan provides many of the services listed above in addition to covering the costs associated with the following medical emergency situations:

• Medical evacuation and repatriation services
• Transportation to join a hospitalized member
• Return of dependent children
• Transportation after stabilization
• Repatriation of mortal remains

The plan also provides for personal security services should you find yourself in a threatening political situation. Additional information is available on the MEDEX Web site and from the International Ag Programs Office, 215 Gentry Hall. Similar coverage is also available from other companies; this information is not an endorsement of the MEDEX program. 

Regards,
Marc