CISI Comprehensive Medical and Evacuation Insurance

Insurance Designed for Students Abroad

Every student studying abroad needs to have comprehensive coverage that can be used for medical and security emergencies while in another country.  The health care insurance you currently have may cover basic issues while abroad such as routine doctor’s visits for minor ailments and injuries, and visa regulations for some countries require students to purchase special insurance coverage that allows visiting students access to their health care system for routine doctor’s visits.

However, your home insurance and the basic coverage required to obtain a visa typically do NOT provide care for emergencies or prolonged treatments.

The Global Education Office at the Reves Center strongly recommends (or, in some cases, requires -- see below) that you purchase Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) insurance for your time abroad. CISI offers insurance that is specially designed for the needs of students abroad. It includes basic health insurance, coverage for emergency medical or security evacuation, repatriation, and emergency medical family reunion.  It also includes 24/7 telephone assistance, medical referral, medical monitoring and prescription drug replacement/shipment .  The World Class Coverage Plan with CISI is administered through William & Mary and has a special range of coverage, tailored for William & Mary students. While you are abroad CISI will become your primary insurer.

Coverage can be purchased through W&M at $34.00 a month for your period of study.  If you plan to travel before or after your program's period of study, you can purchase additional coverage for the time of travel directly from CISI at their standard rate, which is somewhat higher than the group rate.

If you do not have CISI coverage yet and want to purchase it, please read, complete, and submit this form.

Who needs to purchase CISI insurance?

Students participating in W&M faculty-led summer programs, W&M semester programs to Beijing, La Plata, Oxford, and Seville are automatically enrolled with CISI which is included in the program fee.

Students studying at any of W&M  partner universities through exchange, assisted enrollment  or direct enrollment, as well as recipients of scholarships administered through the Reves Center are required to purchase CISI insurance. 

It is highly recommended that students direct enrolling in study abroad programs through other universities purchase CISI insurance...

Students studying abroad through organizations such as IES, API, ISA, etc. should make sure CISI or another comprehensive health insurance plan is included in their program fee. If not, purchase of CISI coverage through W&M’s policy is highly recommended.

Please note that NO insurance will cover accidents involving extreme sports such as bungee jumping, helicopter skiing, rock climbing, shark diving, etc.  Before undertaking such activities, take out additional insurance to be sure you are covered. 

When and how do I use CISI insurance?

The policy’s benefits plan and claim form can be found here.  If you are covered by CISI, be sure to give a copy of this plan and/or website link to your parents or other appropriate contact in case there is an emergency while abroad. Upon enrollment, you will receive an email from CISI with quick reference information that you should carry with you at all times during your period of coverage.

Things to keep in mind: 

• How you use this insurance varies from country to country depending on their health care system.
• Team Assist (TAP), an auxiliary service of CISI insurance, provides 24-hour telephone assistance.  They can help find English speaking doctors and refer you to the best medial facility for your injury or illness.
• The CISI coverage through W&M carries a zero deductible.
• Be prepared to pay for medical bills “out of pocket” while abroad.  It is VERY IMPORTANT that you keep receipts for all medical expenses in order to file a claim for reimbursement.  It is also important that you have access to money (cash or ATM) to cover these “out of pocket” expenses, if needed.

• If you need long term medical care or incur significant medical expenses, you should contact TAP immediately to open a case file. Make sure that your in-country health provider understands the importance of their communicating with Team Assist to facilitate payment.

• If you have questions about the CISI insurance coverage while abroad contact them directly at +1-203-399-5130 claimshelp@culturalinsurance.com.  Also, the Global Education Office at the Reves Center is only a call or email away +1-757-221-3590 or wmabroad@wm.edu. If you have an emergency after normal working hours, please contact W&M Campus Police at +1-757-221-4596.