This section provides guidance for U-M faculty and staff planning international travel as part of their official university duties. Faculty and staff members who are traveling abroad within the context of their job responsibilities are considered to be on University of Michigan Related Travel. Your specific Requirements can vary depending on your travel destination and your status as a student, faculty or staff member. 

U-M International Travel Policy

The U-M International Travel Policy applies to all faculty, staff and students, and outlines requirements for university-related international travel. Individual travelers are responsible for compliance with this international travel policy when undertaking U-M related travel. Individual schools, colleges and units may have additional guidelines that supplement this policy. 

Planning Your Trip

To prepare for international travel, follow the steps below:

1. Register Your Travel

All university-related travel must be registered in the University Travel Registry before the expected departure date. The Travel Registry is a confidential and secure site within Wolverine Access for you to record travel plans and contact information. This ensures emergency support and enrollment in required travel insurance. 

2. Enroll  in Travel Abroad Health Insurance

Faculty and staff on U-M-related international business travel are automatically enrolled in GeoBlue Travel Abroad Health Insurance (Global Core Solutions) at no cost after registering in the U-M Travel Registry. Note: Students in education abroad program leadership roles (paid or unpaid) and graduate students on GSRA, GSI and GSSA appointments must enroll in the GeoBlue (Global Core Solutions) for Students on Educational Activities plan. View details on the University Health Service Travel Abroad Health Insurance website.

Travel Abroad Health Insurance is provided by GeoBlue (Global Core Solutions) in coordination with the University Health Service Managed Care/Student Insurance Office. GeoBlue covers business travel up to 364 days. If you need longer coverage, contact the Managed Care/Student Insurance Office.

Coverage includes:

• Medical and prescription benefits. Refer to the GeoBlue (Global Core Solutions) Business Travel Certificate of Coverage for benefit details. 

• Emergency evacuation (medical, political and natural disaster).

• Access to an English-speaking provider network.

• Coverage for spouse/other qualified adult (OQA) and dependents younger than age 26 traveling with you. 

• Short-term personal travel prior to and/or after your university-related trip. 

To access coverage:

• Once enrolled, on the My Trip page, follow instructions under “Essential Content“ to download your GeoBlue (Global Core Solutions) insurance card and create a GeoBlue (Global Core Solutions) account. For ease of use while traveling, download the GeoBlue (Global Core Solutions) mobile app from the app store to connect with quality care across the globe.

3. Your U-M Health Insurance Coverage While Traveling

Enrolling in GeoBlue (Global Core Solutions) Travel Abroad Health Insurance does not change or affect your regular U-M health plan coverage. GeoBlue (Global Core Solutions) Travel Abroad Health Insurance becomes primary to any coverage for medical care abroad that you may have through your U-M health plan or other health insurance coverage for the duration of the trip. Your regular U-M health plan remains active in the background. If your spouse, OQA or dependents are not traveling with you, they will continue to be covered under your regular U-M health plan as usual.

4. Visit Global Michigan

Global Michigan is the campus-wide information hub for U-M’s international engagement. Review Country Risk Ratings for requirements and risks associated with your travel destination, information about travel safety and wellness, preparing for your travel, FAQs, and what to know about re-entering the U.S.

5. Schedule a Pre-Travel Health Consultation 

At least two months before international travel, make an appointment for a travel consultation with one of the locations below. Depending on your destination, you may need specific vaccines (e.g., typhoid, yellow fever, cholera, Japanese encephalitis). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides destination-specific recommendations. It’s important to get vaccinated at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This will give the vaccines time to start working and should allow enough time to get a second dose if more than one dose is required.

Employees

The UHS Travel Health Clinic, located on the Ann Arbor campus, is available to faculty and staff traveling for U-M related business. The clinic provides immunizations, prescriptions, and travel advice:  

• Consultation, vaccination and prescription fees will be billed to your department.

• Your department short code is required for billing.

• Any needed prescriptions for travel meds can be filled at the UHS pharmacy on site.

The University of Michigan Infectious Disease Clinic (Taubman Center) offers appointment-only travel consultations for Michigan Medicine employees traveling on Michigan Medicine business purposes only (not leisure travel). To schedule, call the Infectious Disease Clinic at (734) 647-5899.

Non-employees, including spouses, OQAs and dependents traveling with the employee

CDC-recommended vaccines are covered by U-M health plans and the U-M Prescription Drug Plan when administered at in-network providers. Contact the health plan or pharmacy to find a participating provider. 

Important 

• Many travel clinics provide travel and vaccination counseling before administering the vaccine. These counseling sessions are not covered or reimbursed by your U-M health plan. 

• Passport Health, a popular travel clinic, is not an in-network provider.

6. Check Medications

• Plan ahead for extended trips. Contact your pharmacist to ensure you have enough medication.

• The U-M Prescription Drug Plan allows one additional overseas refill per medication, per year by calling Prime Therapeutics at (888) 272-1346.

• Check local regulations: Some U.S. medications may be illegal abroad. Consult the country’s embassy or consulate before traveling.

Refer to the GeoBlue (Global Core Solutions) Business Travel Certificate of Coverage for prescription refill and benefit details.

U-M Travel Guide and Resource

Business Travel Accident Insurance

All active faculty and staff members traveling domestically and internationally while on official university business (excluding everyday travel to and from work) are provided Business Travel Accident Insurance through MetLife for accidental death or permanent total disability. The university pays the full cost, and you do not have to enroll in this coverage. 

Travel Assistance

Included with Business Travel Accident Insurance, when traveling more than 100 miles from home, faculty and staff have access to Travel Assistance, a travel service administered by AXA Assistance USA, Inc. (AXA). Travel Assistance offers you and your dependents worldwide medical, travel and concierge assistance services, 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year, while traveling internationally or domestically. If you have questions about the services, call Travel Assistance at (800) 454-3679 within the U.S. or (312) 935-3783 (collect) outside the U.S. For additional information, visit webcorp.axa-assistance.com using the login "axa" and the password "travelassist."

Political and Natural Disaster Evacuation

Political and natural disaster evacuation (Crisis24) is included with GeoBlue Travel Abroad Health Insurance (Global Core Solutions). This benefit is available in most (but not all) countries for U-M faculty, staff, students, and eligible accompanying dependents. To receive this support, travelers must be enrolled in U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance, register their travel and follow any additional instructions on your destination’s Country Risk Rating page on Global Michigan in the event prior approval is needed to travel to certain U-M Travel Restriction locations. Evacuation assistance must be coordinated through the U-M Office of the Provost Global Engagement Team and GeoBlue (Global Core Solutions).

In case of an emergency while abroad:

• Follow Global Michigan In Case of Emergency guidance

• Contact U-M Division of Public Safety and Security. Let the responder know you are a U-M traveler abroad — they will connect you with appropriate university support.

  • Ann Arbor: (734) 763-1131

  • Dearborn: (313) 593-5333

  • Flint: (810) 762-0006

Work-related Injury or Illness

If you suffer a work-related illness or injury while traveling on university business, contact the following departments as soon as possible:

• Work Connections – (734) 615-0643 or (877) 869-5266 toll-free

• Risk Management – (734) 764-2200

In the Event of a Death

GeoBlue (Global Core Solutions) Travel Abroad Health Insurance provides a repatriation of remains benefit for U-M faculty and staff when traveling overseas on university-related business. Repatriation of remains arranges for the return of the deceased person's remains back to the place of residence. The service requires approval in advance by GeoBlue (Global Core Solutions).

If the deceased is a university employee, contact the following U-M departments:

• Division of Public Safety and Security – (734) 763-1131 U-M Ann Arbor; (313) 593-5333 U-M Dearborn; (810) 762-0006 U-M Flint

• Risk Management – (734) 764-2200

• U-M Shared Services Center - HR Customer Care – (734) 615-2000 or (866) 647-7657 toll-free=

When You Return

• File any claims.

• If you had a change in family status or dependent coverage, contact the SSC - HR Customer Care at (734) 615-2000 or (866) 647-7657 toll-free within 30 days of the event.

• If you changed your address with the university while you were away, update your address on Wolverine Access.

University Travel-Related Policies, Standard Practice Guides and Additional Resources

• International Travel Policy

• Travel and Business Hosting Expense Policies and Procedures for Emburse Enterprise Users (SPG 507.10-1)

• Resources for Faculty and Staff Planning University-Related Travel