Volunteer Global Travel Accident Medical Plan

The plan provides IEEE volunteers with out-of-country/region medical emergency protection (up to US$250,000) for usual and customary emergency medical expenses incurred while traveling on IEEE business subject to the following conditions:

• Coverage begins when the volunteer leaves his or her country or region of permanent residence on authorized IEEE business travel, and ends upon return to that same country/region.
• The plan does not apply to attendee travel to and from a conference, unless that travel is for authorized IEEE business purposes and the individual is acting in the official capacity as an IEEE volunteer.
• Certain exclusions apply to policy; this is only a short summary of coverage.

Medical emergency means a sudden and unexpected condition caused by an injury or sickness which presents a severe or acute symptom requiring immediate attention.

The plan is paid for by IEEE and is provided to IEEE volunteers at no charge. 

The plan also includes:

• 24-hour worldwide travel and medical assistance services;
• coverage for accidental death and dismemberment; coverage varies depending on the type of loss;
• coverage for transportation expenses associated with an emergency medical evacuation or repatriation of mortal remains in the event of death while traveling on IEEE business. Medical evacuation or repatriation must be arranged through the assistance services provider;
• coverage for a security evacuation to the nearest place of safety. The determination that an insured person requires a security evacuation must be made by the insurer’s Designated Security Consultant and all arrangements must be made through the assistance services provider. Certain countries/regions are excluded under this coverage section.

Assistance Services Contact Information:

• Outside US, call collect +1 715 346 0859
• Inside US, call toll-free +1 877 244 6871
• Email assistance@aig.com for customer service support
• Reference Group Name IEEE, Inc. and GTP 0009133402

If medical evacuation (certified as necessary by the attending physician) or repatriation is needed, the assistance services provider will make all arrangements with the appropriate transportation services and arrange for accompanying medical staff (if necessary), including coordinating medical case monitoring with attending and/or home country/region physician.

Volunteers must notify the IEEE Office of Risk and Insurance Management Services (ORIMS) at orims@ieee.org in the event of an emergency medical claim.

Authorized IEEE business travel to the following countries/regions must be reported in advance to orims@ieee.org: Chechnya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel, Iran, or Somalia.

Why was the IEEE Volunteer Global Travel Accident Medical Expense Plan established?
There are times when IEEE volunteers travel for IEEE business outside of their home country/region. The plan was established to protect IEEE volunteers in the event that immediate medical attention is required while traveling on authorized IEEE business outside of their country or region of permanent residence.

What constitutes authorized IEEE business travel? 
Authorized IEEE business travel is travel that is paid for, reimbursed, or otherwise approved by the IEEE.

Is this Plan applicable to an IEEE Volunteer who travels to and from an IEEE conference? 
No. However, if the volunteer is attending the conference in an official capacity (for example, Section Chair), and the trip is paid for, reimbursed, or otherwise approved by the IEEE, the coverage would apply.

Does the Plan cover additional personal travel taken prior to, during, or after authorized IEEE business travel? 
The Plan includes coverage for a Sojourn or Personal Deviation.  Sojourn or Personal Deviation means non-business travel or activities undertaken while on the business of the policyholder but unrelated to furthering the business of the policyholder.  

With respect to a Sojourn or Personal Deviation, coverage applies only where the Sojourns or Personal Deviations if they involve one or more stops and en route and/or an extension of time spent at the destination(s) with respect to the circumstances described herein, do not last longer than a total of 14 days.  The medical expense coverage will apply as long as travel is still outside the home country or region.

When does the Plan become effective?

The Out of Country Medical Expense Coverage becomes effective when the volunteer leaves his or her country or region of permanent residence on authorized IEEE business travel, and ends upon return to that same country or region.

How can I obtain a Plan identification card?
Please contact the IEEE Office of Risk and Insurance Management Services (ORIMS) at orims@ieee.org to request a plan identification card. 

Is there anything I need to do at the time of illness or injury to secure coverage for medical expenses? 
When contacting Customer Service or obtaining emergency medical attention, please reference the following: 

• Group Name: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE);
• Business Travel Accident Medical Expense Policy # GTP 0009133402 

Additionally, you must notify the IEEE Office of Risk and Insurance Management Services at orims@ieee.org in the event of an emergency medical claim. 

Who should I contact if I have questions or need assistance in filing a claim?
Please contact the IEEE Office of Risk and Insurance Management Services (ORIMS) at orims@ieee.org or +1 732 562 5541.