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Cigna StudyWell: Study Abroad Support

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Cigna StudyWell: Study Abroad Support

Away from home. Not far from care

While studying or teaching abroad, especially during these challenging times, students, faculty and staff will take on new and exciting experiences that will enrich their journey. They may find themselves learning a new language and culture. They may also find themselves adapting to a new medical system and accessing care.

With Cigna StudyWell®1, students, faculty and staff have access to the largest global network of health care providers, and, should something come up, our dedicated customer service representatives are here 24/7 to help them get the care they need. From ground transportation and translators to finding the right health care providers or facilities, we’ll be there for them. Every step of the way.

Cigna StudyWell connects students, faculty and staff 24/7 with the people, programs, tools and support that help provide peace of mind, a great educational experience, and answers to questions like:
- What should I ask my doctor before I leave?
- If I have questions, need information, or am stressed or anxious, where can I go for help?
- If my travels require quarantine, how do I access medical care?
- What do I do in case of an emergency?
- How do I get my prescriptions filled while I am away?

With Cigna Envoy®, they can access information on some 200 countries before they even go abroad. They can easily research:
- Currency and exchange rates
- Immunization requirements
- Security alerts
- Voltage requirements
- Country weather and time
- Disease prevention tips

Cigna StudyWell: Long-Term Abroad
Offering support for students, faculty and staff studying and teaching abroad for an extended period of time globally.

International Member Assistance Program (IMAP)2 
Students, faculty and staff have access to free, confidential assistance with any personal issues. Any time, any day, they can contact the IMAP service for live assistance including short-term professional counseling and telephonic support.

Cigna StudyWell: Medical Benefits Abroad®
Offering support for students, faculty and staff embarking on shorter trips globally.

In-the-moment-support Offered by Workplace Options3
If a student, faculty or staff member wishes to speak with a clinician regarding a non-urgent matter (such as stress, anxiety, relationship conflict or bereavement/loss) by telephone, our clinical professionals are available 24/7 to talk through their concerns and determine the best next steps to address the situation.

Quarantine Lodging Coverage
To support students, faculty and staff during this uncertain time, Cigna StudyWell: Medical Benefits Abroad offers quarantine lodging coverage4 for those needing to quarantine after a positive COVID-19 test result.

In-the-moment-support In Action: A Case Study5
Location: Germany
Presenting Issue: Study-abroad student in need of English-language support

A student participating in a study abroad program was experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Upon arriving in Germany, she had become overwhelmed by the language barrier and the fallout from a recent break-up. She was open to attending therapy but was unsure how to access English-speaking services in Germany. Due to suspected miscommunications, local medical providers were unable to clearly determine the student’s psychiatric needs; she was hospitalized out of precaution.

The student was contacted within 30 minutes of receiving the case. A licensed clinician was able to speak with her over the phone to provide in-the-moment support, assess her needs, and formulate a plan to provide her with support while she was abroad. The clinician was able to validate the student’s feelings and assist her in developing an awareness of her anxiety triggers. The clinician also worked with the member on developing her understanding of healthy relationships and the importance of setting boundaries, and determining what her long-term goals were. The clinician made additional recommendations for treatment once the student arrived home.

The student expressed that prior to receiving the support she considered withdrawing and ending her semester abroad in order to travel home for mental health support. She reported that the counseling support she received assisted her in managing her symptoms in order to maintain her coursework. She additionally disclosed that she felt that the support was so effective that in order to maintain the positive momentum achieved during sessions, she decided to reach out to therapists near her university to arrange counseling support when she traveled home.

Global Telehealth
When students, faculty and staff don’t feel well and are far from home, they want to get better fast. There are times when a visit to a doctor’s office is difficult to manage. But with our global telehealth service, they have the opportunity to speak with licensed doctors around the world to discuss their symptoms and the best next steps for them. They can schedule an appointment from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.

Interested in learning more?
Cigna StudyWell is your global partner in care, giving students, faculty and staff the support they need to rest easy while studying and teaching abroad. View Cigna StudyWell content on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

1 The Cigna StudyWell plan is only available to participating educational organizations that are members of InterNations.

2 Support is provided by Cigna, an organization staffed by professionals who are completely independent of your school. Cigna is bound by professional standards regarding confidentiality, and does not disclose details of individuals who have contacted the service. Any information you share is at your discretion and will not be shared with your organization. Employee assistance program services are in addition to, not instead of, your health plan benefits. These services are separate from your health plan benefits and do not provide reimbursement for financial losses.  Program availability may vary by plan type and location, and are not available where prohibited by law.

3 In-the-moment-support offered by Workplace Options, an independent third-party service provider. References to third-party organizations or companies, and/or their products, processes or services, does not constitute an endorsement or warranty thereof. Your use of such products, processes or services are at your sole risk.

4 Refer to plan documents for coverage exclusions and limitations.

5 This example is used for illustrative purposes only. Based on an actual customer experience provided by Workplace Options.

This article serves only as a reference and is intended for informational purposes only. Nothing in this article constitutes legal, tax, financial planning, health or medical advice including diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Any reference to products or services offered by Cigna are available except where prohibited by applicable law and subject to terms and conditions.

Cigna offers global telehealth in partnership with Teladoc. All doctors are licensed in the countries where they practice medicine and are fully qualified and trained to provide this service. Telehealth services may not be available in all jurisdictions. In general, to be covered by your plan, services must be medically necessary and used for the diagnosis or treatment of a covered condition. Not all prescription drugs are covered and prescriptions are not guaranteed to be written. Providers are solely responsible for any treatment provided and are not affiliated with Cigna. Telehealth providers are separate from your health plan’s provider network.