Volunteer Global Travel Accident Medical Plan
IEEE maintains a Global Travel Accident Medical Expense Plan (“The Plan”) to protect IEEE volunteers who become ill or injured and require immediate medical attention while traveling on authorized IEEE business outside of their country of permanent residence.
Plan summary and highlights
The plan provides IEEE volunteers with out-of-country 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 of permanent residence on authorized IEEE business travel and ends upon return to that same country
- 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.
- All incurred charges must be medically necessary. Coverage is applicable only to those charges that occur outside the individual’s home country.
- This summary provides a brief description of the insurance coverage. The terms and conditions of coverage are set forth in the Plan documents. Certain exclusions may apply.
The plan is paid for by IEEE and is provided to IEEE volunteers at no charge. The plan also includes:
- Twenty-four-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 authorized and arranged through AIG Assistance Services.
- 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 authorized and arranged through AIG Assistance Services. Certain countries/regions are excluded under this coverage section.
AIG 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
Notify the IEEE Office of Risk and Insurance Management Services (ORIMS) at orims@ieee.org in the event of a claim so that coverage can be authorized and Plan benefits can be provided.
The Plan requires IEEE to report travel to specific countries. Please contact orims@ieee.org if you plan on traveling to the following locations for IEEE business: Chechnya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel, Iran, or Somalia.
Contact information
Frequently asked questions
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. 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 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 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.
When does the Plan become effective?
The out-of-country/region medical expense coverage becomes effective when the volunteer leaves his or her country of permanent residence on authorized IEEE business travel, and ends upon return to that same country.
How can a Plan Assistance Services ID Card be obtained?
Please contact the IEEE Office of Risk and Insurance Management Services (ORIMS) at orims@ieee.org to request a Plan Assistance Services ID Card.
What is the procedure to follow at the time of illness or injury in order to secure coverage for medical expenses while traveling outside one’s home country? Contact AIG Assistance Services. Please reference the following:
- Group Name: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
- Business Travel Accident Medical Expense Policy # GTP 0009133402
Additionally, the IEEE Office of Risk and Insurance Management Services (orims@ieee.org) must be notified in the event of a claim so that coverage can be authorized and Plan benefits can be provided.
Does the Plan provide coverage for illness related to COVID-19?
Yes, the out-of-country medical expense coverage provides treatment of a covered illness related to COVID-19 subject to the same policy terms and conditions as any other covered illness.
Does the Plan provide coverage if a volunteer is ordered into quarantine while traveling on authorized IEEE business and cannot immediately return home?
If an insured person is ordered into quarantine due to exposure to a severe infectious disease, infection, or contamination, the Plan will cover lodging ($200 per day) and meals ($100 per day) for up to 14 days. It is important to note that quarantine coverage is limited to a maximum of US$200,000 per outbreak. Contact AIG Assistance Services to coordinate quarantine coverage. All arrangements and expenses must be authorized in advance.
Who should I contact if I need evidence of coverage in order to obtain a visa when traveling outside my home country on authorized IEEE business travel?
Contact the IEEE Office of Risk and Insurance Management Services (ORIMS) at orims@ieee.org to request a Visa Letter evidencing the out-of-country medical expense coverage. The request must be made ten days in advance of the anticipated travel. Please contact orims@ieee.org with the following information: traveler’s name exactly as it appears on passport, traveler’s passport number, travel start and end dates, and the destination country(ies).
Who should I contact if I have questions or need assistance in filing a claim?
Contact AIG Claims at AHClaims@aig.com to both obtain and submit the appropriate claim form. AIG Claims will help you complete the claim form in its entirety.
If you still have additional questions, please contact the IEEE Office of Risk and Insurance Management Services (ORIMS) at orims@ieee.org or call +1 732 562 5541.