GeoBlue for Students
Beginning January 1, 2025, all Â鶹´«Ã½ undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, including those on Kellogg MBA and EMBA programs, will be covered by GeoBlue’s Student Blanket policy for international travel on Â鶹´«Ã½-affiliated trips. GeoBlue is Â鶹´«Ã½’s provider for international medical assistance and insurance.
The only exception applies to certain undergraduates studying abroad through the Global Learning Office with third-party providers whose insurance plans offer comparable coverage to GeoBlue. For more information on these exceptions, please refer to the Study Abroad Health Insurance section.
Eligibility
The GeoBlue for Students plan is available to Â鶹´«Ã½ students and their eligible dependents for university-related travel. In general, students are not eligible in their country of citizenship, though some exceptions apply. For independent leisure travel before or after the program, students should enroll in a separate health insurance.
Activating Coverage
- Solo Travelers: Independent travelers are required to complete the trip requirements in Â鶹´«Ã½’s International Travel Registry.
- Group Travelers: Students traveling as part of a faculty, staff, or student-led group will receive an email notification from the International Travel Registry when it is time to register. They can then use the link provided in the email notification to complete their registration.
Before Travel
- Download the GeoBlue app before traveling. Use Group Access Code GTB9999NWBKT and your Â鶹´«Ã½ email to register.
- View and share your electronic ID card via the app; if preferred, print your ID card before traveling.
- Students with pre-existing conditions should meet with a GeoBlue nurse before traveling to manage their health abroad. Start by completing the questionnaire linked to this flyer.
- Some prescription medications may not be available or are illegal in some countries. For details, read Traveling with Medications.
While Abroad
Use the GeoBlue app to find healthcare providers, hospitals, and pharmacies abroad; coverage is not limited to network providers. Through the app, access medicine translations, drug equivalents, and global health and safety information including emergency contacts.
Coverage Highlights
- Zero deductible, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no cost to eligible travelers.
- Routine non-emergency care.
- Continuing services for pre-existing conditions (e.g., physical therapy, allergy shots, counseling, routine blood work).
- Emergency treatment for accidents, injuries, and illness.
- Mental health services, including counseling/therapy.
- Prescription medication, including preventative meds.
- Remote care services available 24/7/365.
- Additional benefits requiring approval from GeoBlue include medical evacuation and escort for those unable to return alone and security or natural disaster evacuation.
Limitations
- Pre-travel disclosure to Crisis24, Â鶹´«Ã½'s political, security, and natural disaster evacuation (PEND) provider is required for high risk countries.
- Loss from activities such as scuba diving, sky diving, mountaineering (where ropes and climbing equipment are customarily used; including rappelling and abseiling), ultra-light aircraft, parasailing, sailplaning/gliders, hang gliding, parachuting, bungee jumping or professional sport competition is excluded.
- More details on monetary limits, conditions, exclusions and other terms refer to the Student Member Guide (2025 Student Member Guide coming soon).
Care and Claims
- In a medical emergency abroad, visit the nearest clinic or hospital and follow emergency directions.
- For routine care, use a GeoBlue network provider, an external provider recommended locally, or access remote medical or mental health appointments.
- Typically, travelers pay upfront, keep receipts, and file for reimbursement. Follow reimbursement for care instructions.
For comprehensive information regarding the GeoBlue for Students, please refer to the Student Guide (coming soon), the Certificate of Insurance or contact globalsafety@northwestern.edu. The previous GeoBlue plan will remain in place until January 1, 2025, if you have question about past coverage, please email globalsafety@northwestern.edu.