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Health & Accident Insurance


All students studying abroad must have health insurance specifically designed for study abroad.  Generally, the health insurance that you have in the U.S. (or your home country) does not have the special features needed by you while abroad. 

All students on Loyola-sponsored exchange/study abroad programs will have BCBS Global Solutions health insurance through the Lewer Agency, unless exempted*, and will have a card and information prior to their departure.  For more information on insurance for Loyola programs and claim forms, please download the Member Guide.  The study abroad insurance is mandatory and students cannot opt out of coverage. The cost is $88/month for each month of the duration or your Loyola Exchange/Study Abroad program for the Gold Plan with a $250,000 limit. Higher limits are available. The cost of insurance is typically included in Loyola faculty-led programs. For all other programs (e.g., Loyola exchange/study abroad, Loyola partner programs), the insurance will be billed separately. Please note that loss arising from participation in high-risk activities such as scuba/sky diving, hang gliding, bungee jumping, zip lining, etc. is not likely to be covered by insurance.

Some countries (e.g., Australia, France, Germany, Mexico, Korea, Switzerland) require that students participating in study abroad programs purchase local health insurance in that country, in addition to the BCBS insurance that Loyola requires. Students are responsible for purchasing this insurance if it is a requirement for the country where they will be studying. See the program budget sheets for more information.

* Exemptions
Students attending the following programs will have to purchase insurance through the host institutions/organizations. These plans meet Loyola's requirements so students will not be required to purchase BCBS insurance:


Students studying abroad on these programs are not required to purchase BCBS insurance, however BCBS insurance is available to any student studying abroad. To purchase BCBS insurance, contact cie@loyno.edu. 

Please note: Some of the insurance policies that are required for students studying abroad on Loyola programs in Spain, the Netherlands and New Zealand do not include repatriation and/or medical evacuation to the U.S. (or home country). Please review the insurance policy carefully. If repatriation and/or medical insurance is not covered, and you do not have this coverage already through your own (domestic) insurance plan, please purchase an additional standalone repatriation and medical evacuation plan, such as Global Plus Travel: https://www.acsa-travelsolutions.com/enroll-now.

GeoBlue Wellness Assist
All students enrolled in BCBS insurance have access to GeoBlue Wellness Assist, which provides telephonic access to counselors and other types of support services. See the GeoBlue Global Wellness Assist flyer.  

Pre-Departure Questionnaire 
GeoBlue's Pre-Departure Program is available for important pre-trip health guidance and answers to questions you may have. Complete the GeoBlue Pre-Departure Questionnaire to consult a GeoBlue clinician prior to departure and receive assistance with planning healthcare needs in your new host country. 

Global TeleMD
In addition to comprehensive international health insurance coverage while abroad, students have access to Global TeleMD, a telemedicine service that provides unlimited 24/7 access to licensed physicians by phone or video from anywhere in the world. When medically appropriate and permitted by local regulations, doctors may also issue prescriptions. To use Global TeleMD, download the Global TeleMD app or access the service through the GeoBlue mobile app by selecting Telehealth and then Talk to a Doctor.

U.S. Health Insurance Requirement
Loyola requires students participating in CIE programs abroad to maintain U.S. health insurance coverage while abroad on a Loyola-approved study abroad program. This requirement applies to all students on a Loyola-approved study abroad program. Students must maintain both a domestic U.S. insurance policy and a study abroad insurance policy for the duration of their program.

Unforeseen circumstances may require a student to return to the U.S. earlier than planned, potentially with a medical condition requiring ongoing treatment, so maintaining adequate domestic medical coverage while abroad is important. Students may waive the Loyola Student Health Insurance Plan with proof of comparable existing insurance coverage for the academic year.

The details of the Loyola Student Health Insurance Plan can be found on the Loyola University Student Health Insurance Webpage. 

Revised 6/17/26