Monthly News
MEDEX Travel Assistance News
We are pleased to announce another successful renewal with MEDEX, Yale’s travel assistance provider, for the academic year of September 1, 2008, to August 31, 2009. Below are some key points we’d like to highlight and ask you share with your departments. Complete program information.
What’s New
- New MEDEX ID cards have been ordered reflecting changes to the “in country” phone number for calling Egypt and the new Orbitz for Business phone numbers. To request a supply of new ID cards, please contact Vicki Ramsay for October delivery.
- Membership with MEDEX entitles all Yale members access to our custom Yale/MEDEX Online Member Center. The Member Center contains real–time intelligence and country–specific destination information for most countries. Two new features were also added to the MEDEX 360°m Global Medical Monitor section. The first feature is the database of Medical Phrase Translations, which give you the ability to communicate with foreign doctors using 180 of the most common medical phrases in more than twenty different languages. The second feature lets you search a database of International Drug Equivalents, comprising more than 8,000 medications—both prescription and over–the–counter—to determine if your medication or an equivalent is available in your destination. To access these new features from within the Member Center, select the 360ºm tab at the top of the homepage. Go to the “Tools & Reports” icon or simply view these features while within any country destination.
- Finally, no changes have been made to the coverage, terms, conditions or exclusions for this policy year as found in the online Program Description Guide. Note also that the Program Description Guide is available online and no longer as a handout for distribution.
For Administrators
What does MEDEX do and not do
MEDEX is Yale’s travel assistance program provider, supplying international and domestic emergency medical, security and travel assistance services available anywhere in the world 24/7/365. It applies to business and personal travel 100 miles or more away from your permanent residence and allows uninterrupted coverage through August 31 for graduating seniors. Yale has two pertinent ID numbers: the group ID number (“YALE”) and the MEDEX ID number (364416).
It is important, prior to travel, to understand coverage terms and conditions, as described in the online Program Description Guide, and to secure an ID card for your wallet and/or passport. Note that MEDEX is not a type of health or travel insurance and should not be confused with member enrollment at University Health Services. Students, faculty or staff having dependents who are members of the health plan, are not automatically covered under MEDEX.
Coverage
- Coverage is mandatory and automatic for all Yale students and employees. This includes the following primary member classifications: casual employees (while actively working only); clerical and technical employees; faculty; visiting faculty; managerial and professional employees; postdoctoral associates; postdoctoral fellows; J & J scholars; service and maintenance employees; retired professor emeritus; all students, including students on “approved leave” status; non–Yale students and scholars enrolled in a Yale–sponsored program (coverage applies for the duration of the program only). Note that spouses and legal dependents are covered when traveling with the primary Yale employee or student (member). They are not automatically covered when traveling independent of the Yale primary member.
- The classifications below are not automatically covered under our program, although members of them are eligible if traveling on Yale business with a Yale–sponsored program (see Small Group Plan below for more information): alumni; associates (spouses of employees and retirees); retirees (except retired professor emeritus, who already have coverage); consultants (employees of other firms working at Yale as consultants); conferees (conference attendees); volunteers; spouses and legal dependents (unless traveling with the Yale primary member).
- With respect to dependents, they shall be limited to spouse and children under the age of nineteen and living with the member, or up to age 23 and a full–time student. Moreover, domestic partners who have a civil union recognized by the state of Connecticut are eligible for dependent coverage. To add dependents not traveling with a Yale primary member, contact Diana Winslow at MEDEX directly at dwinslow@medexassist.com from your Yale email address. Note that there are two available options: $4 per dependent per month and/or yearly at $48.00. MEDEX will issue a personalized ID card for each dependent enrolled. Or you may opt for the “Small Group Plan,” under which non–Yale chaperones, consultants, volunteers, and others traveling with a University–sponsored program are eligible for $4 per person per month.
Special Conditions
Note MEDEX coverage can continue uninterrupted for students who travel after graduation as a result of a Yale–sponsored grant, fellowship or program, and will continue for the duration of the award or program. Because student status changes from “active student” to “alumni” after graduation, it is necessary to notify MEDEX of the names of students desiring uninterrupted coverage. Program leaders can follow the steps listed for the Small Group enrollment, excluding the fees.
MEDEX “Verification of Coverage” Letter
To satisfy visa requirements of governments and programs that require proof of coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, a link to MEDEX’S “Verification of Coverage” letter is available for users to personalize and complete according to the coverage requirements needed.
Questions, Concerns and Feedback
When referencing Yale’s MEDEX program in your Departmental news, kindly use the link to the Risk Management website. The Risk Management website contains the most current information pertinent to Yale’s program. Program changes, instructions or updates will be updated immediately as they occur.
In an effort to constantly improve our program, your feedback regarding your experiences with MEDEX is not only helpful but greatly appreciated and welcomed. Contact Vicki Ramsay by email or at 203.432.8258.
Final Points
The Yale and the World Website contains valuable travel resources including an emergency travel plan, safety tips, checklists and guidelines for travelers and group leaders traveling abroad. This information can be found here.
And don’t forget to register your travel if you leave the United States. Please take a few minutes to complete the emergency travel and contact form. The information you provide will be used by the Office of the Secretary to reach you in the event of an emergency.
Last Updated: October 23, 2009 (jp).
