What is International SOS?
International SOS (I-SOS) is an independent service engaged by Five Colleges to provide 24-hour, worldwide emergency medical care and security evacuation services for covered travelers when traveling abroad.
Who can use I-SOS' services?
Anyone traveling on Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke or Smith College business or for a College-related activity is eligible if they are:
- An enrolled student on college sponsored travel
- An employee traveling on college business or stationed abroad
- An immediate family member (spouse, life partner, dependent child) traveling with a college employee
- An alumnae/i traveling on College sponsored travel
Personal travel, including vacations or travel home to visit family is not covered though you may use the travel information services for your personal travel.
PLEASE NOTE - This program is not available to UMass students or employees.
How do I access Medical, Security and Travel Services?In order to utilize any of the medical, security or travel services listed under Program Benefits, contact an I-SOS Alarm Center from anywhere in the world by calling directly, calling collect, or by calling the toll-free number. While we have designated the Philadelphia center in the United States as our primary contact, any of the I-SOS alarm centers will assist you.
To ensure a prompt response when calling, you should be prepared to provide the following:
- Your name, location, age, sex, and nationality
- The program with which you are associated:
e.g., Five College, Inc., Amherst College, Community Engagement Program in South Africa.
- Your International SOS membership number: 11BCAS000005
- The telephone number from which you are calling (in case you are disconnected)
- Your relationship to the member (if the person calling is not you.)
- Name, location, and telephone number of the hospital or clinic (when applicable)
- Name, location, and telephone number for the treating doctor, and where the doctor can be reached (when applicable).
Program BenefitsUnder our Access program, fees apply for many listed services, unless otherwise noted.
Q: What is International SOS?
A: International SOS is an independent service engaged by your institution to provide you with worldwide quality health care and emergency assistance services 24 hours a day. These are designed to supplement and integrate with your College's services, procedures and policies. You should always attempt to contact your College's and/or your program’s on-site emergency contacts first, if applicable, who will assist you. If they are not available, then proceed to contact International SOS.
Q: How can International SOS help?
A: International SOS can provide you and your family with peace of mind. One phone call connects you to the International SOS network of multilingual specialists for immediate help in an emergency. International SOS services are designed to help you with medical, personal, travel, security information and legal referrals when away from home. Call International SOS at any time to speak with a physician or security specialist about simple or critical matters.
Q: How does it work?
A: You will be provided with an International SOS membership card/or you can print one now. Carry the International SOS membership card with you at all times. It includes the telephone numbers of the three major worldwide International SOS Alarm Centers. In the event of an emergency, call one of the emergency phone numbers listed on the card.
Q: What if I have pre-trip questions about my travel destination or questions about the current status in that location?
A: In addition to calling the Alarm Center for any pre-trip questions you may have, you can access Country and Security Guides from this website:
http://www.internationalsos.com
Use your membership number, 11BCAS000005, as your member login. In addition to the information covered at the pre-departure sessions and on-site by your program, the I-SOS comprehensive guides provide both medical, security and general travel advice, such as information on the standard of health care, how to pay for medical care, the availability of medications, safety of the blood supply, embassy/visa information, dialing code information, cultural etiquette and financial and voltage/plug information.
Q: What do I need to do before traveling abroad?
A: Before traveling abroad:
- Print an I-SOS card (PIN required) or obtain one from the Office of International Programs at your school.
- REQUIRED OF ALL STUDENT TRAVELERS! Visit the I-SOS site and enter travel itinerary and contact information by clicking on Personal Travel Record and entering Five College’s I-SOS ID number, 11BCAS000005. This allows I-SOS to reach travelers in case of emergency.
- Carefully review current health, safety and security advisories for travel destination(s).
- Become familiar with health insurance provider’s policies on overseas coverage and payment requirements.
Your membership is already active. Simply carry the card at all times while traveling. Whenever you need service, contact one of the emergency phone numbers listed on the back of the card. You do not need to report specific trip dates to International SOS each time you travel. However, you can create a personal on-line account with I-SOS into which you can save medical, family and emergency information. Unless you input your information into an account, it will not be available for staff. Medical and personal information can only be accessed by an I-SOS doctor.
Q: What are Email Alerts?
A: You have the option to sign up for Email Alerts. You can choose to sign up for medical and/or security alerts by logging on and signing up. Medical alerts are issued when there is an unusual health risk that, in the opinion of the I-SOS Medical staff, may negatively impact travelers or expatriates visiting a country. Security alerts are issued when I-SOS Security professionals have identified a security risk in a specific country. This service is highly recommended for all persons traveling alone. All trip leaders are expected to use this service.
Q: What if I need a doctor?
A: If you are on a study-abroad program, you should first activate the program's on-site emergency support network for your location. If you are traveling, or in a situation where there is no on-site program staff, you should then contact I-SOS. The International SOS Alarm Centers are listed on the back of your card. Call the International SOS Alarm Center that is nearest to you for a referral to a doctor who speaks your language.
Q: What if I need a lawyer while overseas?
A: Call the nearest International SOS Alarm Center for legal referrals. If you are on a study-abroad program and in a situation where you require legal assistance, your off-campus program director should be informed of this immediately. All legal fees are your responsibility. The College is not responsible to provide students with any legal defense.
Q: What if I need prescription medication?
A: If you require a prescription that a local physician cannot obtain, or you need to replace lost, stolen or depleted medication, International SOS will, when permissible by local law, send the needed medication to you. (Additional Fees for the Service and the Medication Apply. You will be responsible for reimbursing the college for all costs incurred for this service. Fees may be as high as $1,110.)
Q: What if I am hospitalized?
A: In cases involving students on a study abroad program, the program staff should be able to assist you via International SOS's on-call emergency staff. However, if you are in a situation or location where you cannot reach the program director or other on-site staff, call the nearest International SOS Alarm Center. International SOS will immediately take steps to evaluate the care you are receiving and determine what actions must be taken to ensure your safe and speedy recovery. International SOS will notify your school as soon as possible if you have not already done so.
Q: What if local medical facilities are not adequate for my specific requirements?
A: If you are hospitalized in an area where adequate medical facilities are not available, International SOS will coordinate with Five Colleges, Inc. and your school to have you evacuated to a medical facility capable of providing the required care. A physician supervises evacuations, and when necessary, a medical specialist or nurse will accompany you during the evacuation. An air ambulance will be used when required. This service will be coordinated by AIG Assist.
Q: What happens when I am released from the hospital and still need help?
A: When your condition is stabilized and International SOS has determined that it is medically advisable to bring you home or to a facility near your permanent residence, International SOS will again obtain approval from Five College Risk Management or your school and arrange the repatriation under medical supervision.
Q: Will International SOS pay my medical or other bills?
A: No, whenever possible you should use your own resources to pay for any services you will need. However, if necessary, International SOS may guarantee payment or advance payment on your behalf when authorized by your institution. After a line of credit is opened in your name, International SOS will guarantee and pay all costs associated with your medical care. You are still responsible for the costs of medical care or other services. This is why we require you to have health insurance coverage that will cover you while abroad. International SOS will also medically monitor and evaluate your condition and ongoing medical expenses during your hospitalization. In situations where medical care is critical, by activating I-SOS you authorize medical care as necessary, and acknowledge that you will be billed for such care and any service fees.
Q: Does I-SOS replace health insurance?
A: NO! I-SOS is not health insurance. Travelers are expected to and should try to pay for the cost of medical care while abroad. If unable to pay, I-SOS can pay the clinic or health care provider on the traveler’s behalf. However, the College expects reimbursement for the actual costs of any medical care or other payments and I-SOS service fees up to $1,000 and will expect the traveler to arrange the reimbursement. Therefore, travelers should familiarize themselves with their insurance provider’s policies on overseas coverage before traveling.
Q: How can International SOS assist in the event of death?
A: International SOS will coordinate with the College and AIG Assist who will obtain clearances and arrange transportation for the return of mortal remains. In such an event, the College will be the point of contact for the family in this situation. AIG Assist will cover the expenses.
Q: How does coverage for travelers apply when some of the travel is for school business and some of it is personal? For example, faculty traveling on vacation agree to go to an alumni event in the country they are traveling in; a faculty member working on research takes a week long sojourn.
A: It is difficult to answer hypothetical or quasi-hypothetical questions since we would always look at the actual facts in the case, but in general, one tends to "follow the money". In this instance, it would mean that if you were traveling for personal purposes (had paid for your trip yourselves), and while you were traveling you went to an alumni event, we would still consider that you were on "leisure travel" and that coverage for medical evacuation would not apply. If you were actually injured at the alumni event, we would certainly work with underwriters to extend coverage. If your travel was paid for by the college or a research grant, we would consider you to be traveling on school business (that is for academic purposes). Personal sojourns of limited duration while on business travel are covered. If it falls somewhere in-between, we would seek to understand the balance or preponderance of activity - leisure or business, and apply coverage accordingly.
Always keep in mind - you can access the free I-SOS services for business or leisure; we only insure medical evacuation coverage (see Travel Accident/Assistance). If you are traveling and want to have this coverage it is available through I-SOS or other trip insurance programs, such as those available at Insuremytrip.com
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Q: What should I do in the event of a security emergency?
A: Call an alarm center listed on the back of your membership card, and a security specialist will assist you.
Q: What is security evacuation assistance and coordination?
A: The I-SOS Security Division will assist the College in the event of threatening situations such as civil and/or political unrest, insurrections, revolution or similar situations by providing information, guidance and resources in the event personal safety and security can no longer be assured. Security evacuation must be authorized by the college.
Q: How do I access up-to-the-minute information about security alerts, warnings and the latest situations?
A: You can visit the website below:
http://www.internationalsos.com/members_home/Security/
I-SOS 24-hour Alarm Centers
If calling from the U.S., Mexico, Central or South America:
Philadelphia, PA
24 hours: - 1.215.942.8226 (call collect where available)
Within U.S. call: - 1.800.523.6586
If calling from Europe, CIS, Africa or the Middle East:
London, England
24 hours: - 44.20.8762.8008 (call collect where available)
If calling from Asia, Australia or the Pacific Rim:
Singapore
24 hours: - 65.6338.7800
Additional Alarm Center and Clinic contact information can be found at the I-SOS web site at http://www.internationalsos.com/world-network
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
