General Information
- All travel to a Travel Warning country (as designated either by the U.S. Department of State at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings.html … the U.S. Centers for Diseases Control at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices) or Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Burundi, Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivore, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Libya, Niger, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen, requires prior Provost approval. Requesting individuals should timely complete the International Travel Form (ITF) and submit it to the Office of Global Affairs and Regulatory Compliance for review and approval before their trip. If international activity involves research or capacity building abroad, please also complete the International Preliminary Questionnaire (IPQ). If you have questions regarding these processes, please contact the Office of Global Affairs and Regulatory Compliance at wwootan@tulane.edu for assistance.
- All individuals traveling abroad for Tulane-related activity are required to register their travel itinerary with International SOS. See Emergency Assistance Program below.
- Prior to international travel, students must consult travel warnings and alerts posted on the U.S. State Department website. The State Department site lists official warnings about travel to particular countries and it includes other information of which employees should be aware before traveling abroad. Sign up for travel alerts with the State Department by clicking here and with Global Rescue by clicking here. See emergency assistance section below.
- Similar advisories related to health issues are available the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- It is also advisable to consult with the Tulane University Travel Clinic for pre-travel immunizations and counseling Phone: 504.988.1947. Information about student travel health services can be found here.
- Check out the American Embassy websites of the countries you plan to visit before you depart. Register your trip in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the American Embassy or Consulate will be able to keep you informed and provide assistance in the event a crisis occurs while you are there. See the iPhone and iPad free Smart Traveler application.
- It is important to know and to be aware of local customs and problem areas before you depart. It is also important to always let someone know where you are going and when you are due to return and to avoid traveling alone.
Emergency Assistance Program
Tulane University has contracted with Global Rescue to offer its employees and students traveling abroad medical, personal travel and security advice and assistance, as well as emergency evacuation services due to illness, injuries, natural disasters and security events. In addition, access to online information for up-to-date travel conditions and other important information is available.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ONLY AND NOT HEALTH INSURANCE!
SEE SECTION III AND IV BELOW FOR HEALTHCARE INSURANCE COVERAGE AVAILABLE TO TULANE EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS WHILE TRAVELING ABROAD.
Summary of benefits provided under the Global Rescue Program:
Medical Assistance: Includes referral to a doctor or medical specialist, medical monitoring when you are hospitalized, emergency medical evacuation to a home hospital or an adequate facility, medically necessary repatriation, and return of mortal remains. Also includes assistance with dental referrals.
Personal Assistance: Includes pre-trip planning, medical, dental and legal referral information, travel advisory assistance, embassy and consular information, emergency information, lost document assistance, emergency message transmission, emergency cash advance, emergency travel arrangements, and translator/interpreter access while traveling.
Security Assistance: Includes evacuation when personal security is threatened by any political instability or civil unrest to the nearest safe location at the earliest reasonably possible time. This includes personal security during natural disasters. If evacuation is not reasonably possible, regular contact can be maintained until the threat to personal security is abated or evacuation becomes reasonably possible.
REGISTER WITH GLOBAL RESCUE
Tulane employees and students should register their trips with Global Rescue via:
1. https://grid.globalrescue.com/portal/tulane/index.html
2. On the landing page, click the "Register Here"box under the section titled: Employees/Students Register Here to Add Travel and to Access Pre-Trip Advisories and Event Reports
3. Next, click "Register Here",
4. It is recommended to complete all fields, but required for those with the red asterisk. You MUST register using your official @tulane.edu email address. If you do not have a @tulane.edu email address, contact the Office of Insurance and Risk Management at 504.865.5653.
5. Upon receiving your temporary password, you will be asked to create a new password. Once logged into the portal, you will be able to add travel and see your trips by clicking the "Itineraries" menu.
6. To add travel information, click on the "Add Travel" menu.
7. If you are between the age 75-85, click "here" and complete the application and return it to jmorris@globalrescue.com for review and written approval prior to travel. Otherwise, Global Rescue is not responsible to provide Services. Individuals over 85 are excluded.
(NOTE: Any travel booked via Concur will automatically upload to your individual portal.)
DOWNLOAD THE GLOBAL RESCUE-GRID APP
After registering your profile, it is highly recommended that you download the Global Rescue-GRID app. YOU MUST CHOOSE THE "GLOBAL RISK-GRID" APP WHICH HAS A BLACK BACKGROUND ON THE ICON –DO NOT CHOOSE THE "MY GLOBAL RESCUE" APP WHICH IS THE FIRST ONE THAT COMES UP. You can also create your profile on the mobile app, just click on "Login Help" and follow the directions.
IMPORTANT MOBILE APP FEATURES:
1. "Emergency" Button: Tap and hold for 3 seconds to notify Global Rescue for dire emergencies ONLY.
2. "Check In" Button: Tap any time for safety check-ins ("breadcrumbs") to assist in locating lost/missing travelers during an emergency.
3. Enable the location and GPS coordinates functions to help locate you.
If you experience any difficulties, please contact Global Rescue at 1.800.381.9754 (US/Canada) or +1.617.459.4200 (Internationally) or email Global Rescue at operations@globalrescue.com.
You may also contact OIRM at 504.865.5653 for assistance.
GeoBlue Insurance Program
All students participating in Tulane sponsored or approved study abroad programs or Tulane sponsored or approved international educational activities are required to have international student health insurance (in addition to U.S. domestic insurance coverage).
This coverage is available via GeoBlue. For a summary of the benefits provided through the Geoblue Insurance Program for Tulane students and staff, including policy exclusions, click here for the 2020 Geo Blue benefit information.
Eligible Participants who can purchase the GeoBlue Insurance Program means a person who: 1. Is engaged in Tulane sponsored or approved international activities; 2. Is Temporarily located outside his/her Home Country as a non resident alien; and 3. Has not obtained permanent residency status.
Undergraduates studying abroad that are traveling on programs through the Office of Study Abroad within the Center for Global Education are required to purchase the insurance via the Center for Global Education. Please contact cge@tulane.edu or call 504.865.5339 for this process.
Undergraduates or graduates studying abroad that are traveling on programs other than through the Office of Study Abroad are required to purchase the insurance via their school or department "fulfillment coordinator". Please check this fulfillment coordinator link for contact information.
Other undergraduates or graduates Eligible Participants may enroll directly online by using a credit card.. Enter your Group Access Code CME-484 for weekly in the box on the right side of the home page to purchase. Visit www.geobluestudents.com.
Students who wish to travel abroad and who are not part of a Tulane sponsored or approved program are recommended to review their current health plan for its foreign coverage and consider purchasing international student health insurance. The GeoBlue Insurance Program also offers individual health plans at https://www.geobluestudents.com/for-students-members.
ALL students who purchase the GeoBlue Insurance should review their coverage benefits including the GeoBlue in-network providers that are available in the area of travel (via the GeoBlue website).
If you need more information, please contact the Office of Insurance & Risk Management at 504.865.5653 or visit the GeoBlue website.
Personal Property Insurance
Personal property insurance for students, faculty and staff covering worldwide on broad conditions is available at reasonable premiums and deductibles as low as $25 at https://www.collegestudentinsurance.com/ Coverage can include items owned by the department as well as personal property of the traveler. Another option for personal property insurance may be found at https://enroll.gradguard.com/renters Enrollment.
Internet Resources
It is highly recommended that all persons planning to travel abroad visit the U.S. State Department's web site. The State Department site lists official warnings about travel to particular countries and it includes background information of which students should be aware before traveling abroad. Check out the Section titled Travel Information for Students in the Special Interest Section . It also includes information on what kind of support travelers can expect from local country consular offices in the event of an emergency.
Also check out the American Embassy websites of the countries you plan to visit before you depart. It is a good idea to register with the American Embassy or Consulate so that they will be able to keep you informed and provide assistance in the event a crisis occurs while you are there.
Check out these other websites that you may find useful:
Travelers' Health, U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Institute of International Education- Study Abroad portal
And don't forget to visit Tulane's Center for Global Education website.
Other General Information
It is important to know and to be aware of local customs and problem areas before you depart. It is also important to always let someone know where you are going and when you are due to return and to avoid traveling alone.
If you rent a car, you will need local insurance that can be purchased from the rental agency because your U.S. automobile insurance will not cover you outside of the United States, its territories and possessions, and Canada. You should be aware that many foreign automobile insurance policies exclude liability coverage if the driver does not have a valid drivers' license or if the driver is intoxicated or presumed to be intoxicated. Also, because many foreign countries do not recognize U.S. drivers' licenses, an International Driving Permit is highly recommended if you plan to drive abroad (most countries accept an IDP). Before your departure, you can obtain an IDP through either of the two automobile associations authorized by the U.S. Department of State, AAA (American Automobile Association) or National Auto Club. You can apply online or at a local office.
Warnings
Please always check with Global Rescue for location specific warnings.
