Health Preparations for Foreign Study: Health Screening & Insurance
On this page: Mandatory Health Screening | Health Services | Health Insurance Options
As you prepare to go abroad, it is important to be aware of and plan for health and safety concerns while you study abroad. It’s a good idea to research your medical and/or travel insurance coverage and options, and to seek any recommended or required vaccinations and immunizations prior to your departure. All students are required to get a health screening, and turn in a completed health screening form in order to enroll in foreign study programs at the UW. See below for more information on health screening.
The University of Washington strongly recommends that all students participating in foreign study/research programs maintain major medical insurance coverage while abroad. Researching and acquiring appropriate insurance is the responsibility of each student. The first step is to research your existing coverage to find what is and isn’t covered while abroad. If your existing plan does not provide for international coverage, and emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, it is recommended that you purchase supplemental insurance to cover these possible expenses. It is vital that you thoroughly understand your coverage, its limits, and procedures for filing claims prior to departing from the United States. Insurance plans vary and your coverage outside the U.S. may differ from your coverage in the U.S. Please read this page carefully
Mandatory Travel Health Screening
All study abroad participants are required to have a Health Screening as part of their Concurrent Enrollment Process. UW Seattle campus students are eligible for a free health screening at Hall Health. Please note that when scheduling an appointment with the UW Hall Health Center, you should request a health screening NOT a physical, as the health screening may be used as your one, FREE quarterly visit to Hall Health. In order to be eligible to receive this health screening for free, students must 1) be students of the UW Seattle campus; 2) be enrolled in the University of Washington during the quarter in which the visit takes place; and 3) stress that the visit is a health screening for study abroad when making the appointment.
- Make an appointment with your physician at least 6 weeks prior to departure.
- The Health Screening Form is attached to the Concurrent Enrollment Form and must be submitted to the IPE office by the same deadlines.
- UW Seattle students can use their one free quarterly visit to Hall Health to complete their health screening.
- Health screening is only free during quarters when you are enrolled as a student. If you are not taking classes over the summer, make sure to get the health screening prior to finishing your spring quarter finals.
Health Services
Hall Health Primary Care Center
Hall Health Primary Care Center is located on the main UW campus. The building is located on East Stevens Circle, across from the Husky Union Building (HUB), between Padelford Hall and the University of Washington Club.
East Stevens Circle, Box 354410
Seattle, WA 98195-4410
Appointments only: 206-616-2495
Information/Voice mail: 206-685-1060 Fax: 206-221-5368
E-mail: jmckee@u.washington.edu
UW Hall Health Travel Clinic
The University of Washington Travel Clinic is a great resource for students preparing for a foreign study experience. It offers pre-travel counseling, immunizations, and health advice for students planning to travel outside of the US, as well as follow-up services after you return. Remember that many vaccination series can take several weeks to complete, so it’s a good idea to make your appointment early! First-time patients can register and make an appointment at the Hall Health Center by calling 206-616-2495 or by visiting the Patient Services Center at Hall Health, across from the HUB. *Please note that this is a separate visit from the required health screening and you will be charged for it.
Health Insurance Options for Exploration Seminars
One resource for comparing numerous medical insurance options is the Insure My Trip.com website: http://www.insuremytrip.com/. If you want to purchase short-term medical insurance (or supplemental coverage) that corresponds with your specific travel dates, there are many options. Some resources include, but are not limited to:
The UW Accident & Sickness Insurance Plan is available to all matriculated Seattle-campus students. (The Tacoma and Bothell campuses have similar medical insurance plans for their matriculated students). The UW Accident & Sickness Insurance plan dates for SUMMER QUARTER covers pre-fall Exploration Seminars. To obtain this coverage, you will either need to purchase the full-year coverage (including summer) or you can purchase Summer Quarter coverage if you enrolled in courses during the summer term before your Exploration Seminar.
This insurance plan can be purchased for the year, or by quarter. The cost is $440 per quarter for student-only coverage. Quarterly Dates of Coverage 2007-2008:
- 2007 Autumn Qtr: Sept 24, 2007 -- January 6, 2008
- 2008 Winter Qtr: January 7, 2008 – March 30, 2008
- 2008 Spring Qtr: March 31 – June 22, 2008
- 2008 Summer Qtr: June 23 – Sept 21, 2008
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