The UNC Preferred Health Plan for Study & Travel Abroad was developed to protect our students and employees while studying or traveling abroad, . For about a dollar a day, you can have the peace of mind knowing your medical expenses in a foreign country will be covered. The Global Health and Safety Services and Insurance Program Guide provides complete details of this program.

This insurance program is available to students studying abroad as well as faculty, staff and recognized agents studying or traveling on behalf of the University. Their spouses or dependants may also enroll. It is administered by HTHStudents.

It is mandatory for all students traveling abroad for a University sponsored program. Although it's not mandatory for faculty, staff or agents traveling on behalf of the University, it is strongly encouraged. The program is inexpensive and due to territorial limitations with most personal medical plans, it may afford benefits not otherwise covered.

One benefit of the program is the agreement we have with MEDEX, offering 24-hour worldwide medical and travel assistance. This assistance includes referrals to doctors or hospitals, coordination of payment with the provider, confirmation of payment guarantees, assistance with lost prescriptions or travel documents and the coordination of medical evacuations and repatriations. The MEDEX multilingual services are available 24-hours a day, every day of the year.

Enrollment is easy. To enroll or learn more about this coverage, contact your department's Study Abroad Program Coordinator or Janet Hoernke with Risk Management Services at 962.6681 or janet_hoernke@unc.edu.

If you sign up for the program, you are encouraged to register on the HTH Students website before your departure (do not enroll through the HTH Students website). This will allow you on-line access to claims forms, coverage verification, a network of approved physicians in your visiting country as well as a host of other benefits that may prove beneficial once you're there.