International SOS Global Travel Assistance

ISOS provides international and domestic emergency medical, security and travel assistance services anywhere in the world. 

Before you travel

During your trip

  • Contact ISOS for medical and travel security assistance: use the ISOS assistance app for one-click dialing, or refer to your ISOS ID card for in-country and dedicated Yale phone numbers.  You may ask the operator to reverse the charges.
  • Coverage applies to business and personal travel 100 miles or more away from your permanent residence.
  • Multilingual assistance is available 24/7/365.

Note for students taking a leave of absence from Yale College:

Students taking a leave of absence from Yale College continue to have access to International SOS travel assistance and evacuation services. However, as with all personal travel not sponsored by Yale, out-of-country medical coverage is not available to students while on a leave of absence. Students on a leave of absence also do not have coverage through the Yale Health plan.  Please contact Yale Health Member Services for more information and visit the Yale International Toolkit for more insurance options. We also encourage you to speak with a parent/guardian about individual or governmental insurance plans available to you.

Click on the headings below for more information about International SOS travel assistance.  A list of resources is available in the menu to the right.

ISOS Online Member Center

Yale students and current University employees are automatically enrolled in International SOS and provided access to the International SOS online member center  (Any Yale students, faculty or staff who experience difficulty in accessing the member center should send an email to iocc@yale.edu.)   

Member center contents include:

Country Information

  • Country information reports that include detailed travel, security and health guidance by country and major cities
  • Health/disease & prevention reports
  • Sign-up for country-based email alerts

Travel & Security Advice

  • Articles on a range of travel topics from altitude sickness, to dust storms, to insect bites and more
  • Travel safety tips for all travelers, as well as guidance specific to women and for LGBTQ travelers

Travel Security Online

  • Global risk ratings including specific reasons for the ratings
  • Global security headlines

Additional resources include a copy of Yale’s ISOS member card, member FAQs, a comprehensive listing of member benefits, and an online introduction to ISOS “eGuide:  Intro to membership.”

ISOS Eligibility

Yale University provides ISOS Travel Assistance at no cost to all current students, current University employees, immediate family members traveling with University employees, and Emeritus Faculty. 

New: Immediate family members and/or dependents traveling separately are also automatically covered.  Separate enrollment is no longer required.

Coverage for Graduating Students

International SOS coverage will continue through August 31st following graduation.

For students traveling after graduation due to the award of a Yale-sponsored grant or fellowship, coverage will continue at no cost for the duration of the award.

Coverage for Retirees

International SOS is not available for retired faculty or staff members, but it is available to Emeritus Faculty.

ISOS Services

Medical and Travel Assistance
Dedicated Scholastic Line + 1.215.942.8478

• Arrange evacuations and repatriations
• Emergency and routine medical advice
• Travel health information
• Medical and dental referrals
• Coordination of insured medical benefits
• Access to International SOS clinics
• Emergency message transmission
• Emergency translation and interpreter services
• Lost document advice and assistance
• Arrange ground transportation and hotel for accompanying family members
• Mental Health Support
• Assistance App with LiveChat

Security Assistance

• Arrange evacuations
• Legal referrals
• 24 hour access to International SOS Security specialists
• Real time security and safety information
• Access to Security Crisis Center

Online Tools

• Online Scholastic membership website
• Country guides
• Email alerts

Other Services

• Out-patient case management
• In-patient admission
• Dispatch of prescription medication and medical equipment

Out-of-Country Medical Care Coverage

Travel on University Business

Travelers on Yale related business (including students traveling on study abroad programs, doing research, attending conferences, or student organization travel) now have coverage for up to $250,000 in out-of-country medical expenses for treatment for accidents or sicknesses that occur while traveling. This coverage includes 14 days of personal travel deviation. If a traveler extends his/her trip, either before or after the Yale business component of the trip, e.g., to tour the area or visit another country, this coverage will still apply up to a maximum of 14 days.

Note: This coverage does not apply to travel for 100% pleasure purposes (vacation, family business, etc), but evacuation and assistance services are still covered.

Note: This coverage does not apply to treatment rendered in the United States.

Note: This coverage does not apply if the traveler is traveling to his/her country of citizenship.

Personal Travel

If you are not traveling on University business, but you would like out of country medical care coverage, ISOS offers an additional option.

The enrollment process is performed directly with ISOS through the ISOS individual membership program and a 20% discount is available when using the Yale discount code 11B824535.

Travelers can choose to purchase (1) evacuation and assistance only; (2) evacuation and assistance and medical benefits; or (3) evacuation and assistance, medical benefits, and trip protection, however, please note that there is no need to purchase option (1) as you are already automatically covered for evacuation and assistance under the University’s master program.  

How to file a claim

Yale travelers who did not open a case with International SOS may file a claim for reimbursement of medically necessary expenses directly with AIG.  Notice of claim should be provided no later than 60 days from treatment or as soon as reasonably possible.  Please download a copy of the claim form and complete the requested information.  Include copies of supporting documentation and submit the completed and signed claim form to AIG Claims:  ahclaims@aig.com. 

Supporting documentation includes itemized bills and copies of receipts for all medical expenses or prescription medications.  Documentation should also include claimant’s name, condition treated (diagnosis), description of services, date of services, and the charge made for each service.  If additional information is required to process your claim, the assigned claims examiner will contact you by phone or written correspondence.  Written correspondence will be mailed to the address provided on the claim form.  Additional details, including AIG contact information, are available on this overview document.

Please contact the Office of Risk Management if you have questions about Out-of-Country Medical Care coverage.

Coverage for Dependents

International SOS coverage automatically extends to the spouse (including same sex partners eligible for other University benefits) and legal dependents of University students and current employees whether they are traveling together or separately.

Note:  See limitations described in the Out-of-country medical coverage section above.

Coverage for Non-Yale Parties

“Small Group” coverage is available for non–Yale affiliates, such as non-Yale chaperones, volunteers, or guides, who intend to travel with a University sponsored group.

A request for enrollment should be sent by the department, and the department will be charged for the coverage.

If you would like to enroll a non-Yale affiliate who is traveling with your Yale group, please complete this worksheet and return it to risk.management@yale.edu. Please choose evacuation/assistance only, or evacuation/assistance plus out of country medical expense coverage. Rates are shown on the worksheet.

Verification of Coverage

Travelers requiring documentation to verify coverage to meet visa requirements may download the applicable AIG visa letter as follows:

  1. Letter for international travelers on Yale business (including study abroad, research, and University business).
  2. Letter for international travelers on personal/leisure trips:  you will need to contact your medical insurance provider (such as Yale Health) for verification of your medical coverage.

Note:  The traveler is responsible for using the correct letter, for the accuracy of the information they use to complete the visa letter, and for using the letter appropriately. 

Note:  This letter may not be used in connection with travel to or involving Cuba, Iran, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, or the Crimea region (Ukraine/Russia).  Contact the Office of Risk Management for assistance with visa letter needs for these destinations.

Yale Travel Policies

Yale University International Travel Policy for Yale College Students

Yale University Policy 3301 Travel on University Business

Yale Law School International Travel Policy

FAQs

Do I need to enroll?

No, coverage is automatic.

How do I request assistance while I am traveling?

Call 1-215-942-8478 or use the LiveChat feature of the ISOS assistance app from your smart phone.

Who is covered?

Yale members and their immediate family have travel assistance coverage for all types of travel.

Yale members and their immediate family have out-of-country medical care coverage when traveling on Yale business.

What services are included in the program?

Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation

Emergency political and security transportation

Natural disaster evacuation

Medical assistance and mental health support services

Travel assistance services

Personal security services

Out-of-Country medical care coverage

I need a verification of coverage letter for my visa.  What do I use?

Download and complete the appropriate ISOS Verification of Coverage Letter and present it with your visa application (or upon request):

Letter for international travelers on Yale business (including study abroad, research, and University business).

Letter for international travelers on personal/leisure trips:  you will need to contact your medical insurance provider (such as Yale Health) for verification of your medical coverage.

Please observe the following requirements when using the letter:

- The traveler is responsible for the accuracy of the information they use to complete the visa letter and for using the letter appropriately.

- The letter may not be used in connection with travel to or involving Cuba, Iran, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, or the Crimea region (Ukraine/Russia).  Contact the Office of Risk Management for assistance with visa letter needs for these destinations.