Using the  SOS Program

Medical, Security and Travel Services

         In order to utilize any of  the medical, security or travel services listed under Program Benefits, contact  an SOS Alarm Center from anywhere in the world by calling directly, calling  collect, or by calling the toll-free number. While we have designated the Philadelphia  center in the United States as our primary contact, any of the SOS alarm centers  will assist you.

         To ensure a prompt response when calling, you should be prepared to provide the following:

 
• Your name, location, age, sex, and nationality 
• The program with which you are associated (i.e., University Name) 
• Your International SOS membership number: 11BSGC000037 
• The telephone number from which you are calling (in case you are disconnected) 
• Your relationship to the member (if the person calling is not you.) 
• Name, location, and telephone number of the hospital or clinic (when applicable) 
• Name, location, and telephone number for the treating doctor, and where    the doctor can be reached (when applicable)

Program Benefits

Medical Services

 
• Emergency evacuation 
• Medically-supervised repatriation 
• Companion ticket 
• Additional travel and accommodation arrangements after medical evacuation 
• Repartriation of mortal remains 
• Return home of minor children 
• Medical monitoring 
• Inpatient admission and identification of receiving physician 
• Emergency and routine medical advice 
• Pre-trip information on travel health issues 
• Medical and dental referrals 
• Outpatient referrals 
• Outpatient case management 
• Cliams assistance 
• Outpatient medical expense guarantee and payment (Fees will apply) 
• Inpatient medical expense guarantee, cost review and payment (Fees will apply) 
• Dispatch of medication and medical supplies (Fees will apply) 
• Travel Services 
• Legal referrals 
• Emergency message transmission 
• Translations and interpreters (Fees will apply)   
• Lost document advice 
• Ground transportation and accommodations for accompanying family members    (Fees will apply)   
• Emergency personal cash advances (Fees will apply)   
• International SOS clinics  
• Security Services 
• Security evacuation assistance 
• Online travel security information 
• Access to security crisis center

Q: What is the role of International SOS?

A: International SOS provides you with worldwide quality health care and emergency assistance  services 24 hours a day designed to supplement and integrate with the policies,  procedures and other resources of the University.

 

Q: How can International SOS help?

A: One  phone call connects you to the International SOS network of multilingual specialists  for immediate help in an emergency. International SOS services are designed  to help you with medical, personal, travel, security information and legal  referrals when away from home. Call International SOS at any time to speak  with a physician or security specialist about simple or critical matters.

 

Q: How does it work?

A: You will be provided with an International SOS membership card. Carry the International SOS membership card with you at all times. It includes the telephone numbers of the three major worldwide International SOS Alarm Centers. In the event of an emergency, call one of the emergency phone numbers listed on the card.

Q: What do I need to do to use the program?

A:  In  order to utilize any of the medical, security or travel services listed under  contract, call any SOS Alarm Center from anywhere in the world by calling directly, calling collect, or by calling the toll-free number. To ensure a prompt response when calling, you should be prepared to provide thefollowing:

 
• Your name, location, age, sex, and nationality 
• The program with which you are associated (i.e., University Name) 
• Your International SOS membership number: 11BSGC000037 
• The telephone number from which you are calling (in case you are disconnected) 
• Your relationship to the member (if the person calling is not you.) 
• Name, location, and telephone number of the hospital or clinic (when applicable) 
• Name, location, and telephone number for the treating doctor, and where    the doctor can be reached (when applicable)

Q: What if I have pre-trip questions about my travel destination  or questions about the current status in that location?

A: In  addition to calling the Alarm Center for any pre-trip questions you may have,  you can access Country and Security Guides from this website: 

http://www.internationalsos.com

Use membership number, 11BSGC000037, as your member login. In addition to the information covered at the pre-departure sessions and on-site by your program, the SOS  comprehensive guides provide medical, security and general travel advice, such as information on the standard of health care, how to pay for medical care, the availability of medications, safety of the blood supply, embassy/visa information, dialing code information, cultural etiquette and financial and voltage/plug information.  

 

Q: Do I need to activate my membership?

A: No,  your membership is already active. Simply carry the card at all times while  travelling. Whenever you need service, contact one of the emergency phone numbers  listed on the back of the card. You do not need to report specific trip dates to International SOS each time you travel. However, you can create a personal on-line account with SOS into which you can serve medical, family and emergency  information. Unless you input your information can only be accessed by an SOS doctor.

 

Q: What are Email Alerts?

A: You have the option to sign up for Email Alerts. You can choose to sign up for medical and/or  security alerts by logging on and signing up. Medical alerts are issued when  there is an unusual  health risk that, in the opinion of the SOS Medical staff, may negatively impact travelers or expatriates visiting  a country. Security alerts are issued when SOS Security professionals have  identified a security risk in a specific country.

Q: What if I need a doctor?

A: You should  first contact emergency support at your location. If you are traveling, or cannot access local contacts, you should contact SOS directly. The International SOS Alarm Centers are listed on the back of your card. Call the International SOS Alarm Center that is nearest to you for a referral to a doctor who speaks your language.

 

Q: What if I need a lawyer while overseas?

A: Call the nearest International SOS Alarm Center for legal referrals. If you are in a situation where you require legal assistance, your University contact should be informed of this immediately.

 

Q: What if I need prescription medication?

A: If  you require a prescription that a local physician cannot obtain, or you need  to replace lost, stolen or depleted medication, International SOS will, when  permissible by local law, send the needed medication to you. (Additional Fees for the Medication Apply)

Q: What if I am hospitalized?

A: You should first contact emergency support at your location. However, if you are in a situation or location where you cannot reach local assistance, call the nearest  International SOS Alarm Center. International SOS will notify the University immediately if you have not already done so.

Q: What if local medical facilities are not adequate for my specific requirements?

A: If you are hospitalized in an area where adequate medical facilities are not available. International SOS will obtain approval from the University to evacuate you to a medical facility capable of providing the required care. A physician supervises evacuations, and when necessary, a medical specialist or nurse will accompany you during  the evacuation. An air ambulance will be used when required.

 

Q: What happens when I am released from the hospital and still need help?

A: When your condition is stabilized and International SOS has determined that it is medically advisable to bring you home or  to a facility near your permanent residence, International SOS will again obtain approval from the University and arrange the repatriation under medical supervision.

 

Q: Will International SOS pay my medical bills?

A: SOS is not health insurance. However, if a medical provider requires payment or a guarantee of payments in order to provide services, SOS will guarantee and advance payment to that provider once a family member or the University has authorized a line of credit in your name. You are ultimately responsible for the costs of medical care. This is why you should maintain separate, comprehensive international health insurance coverage for the duration of your time abroad.  SOS will also medically monitor and evaluate your condition and on going medical expenses during your hospitalization. In situations where medical care is critical, by activating SOS you authorize medical care as necessary, and acknowledge that you will be billed for medical expenses incurred. These expenses may be reimbursable to you from your personal health insurance company.

 

Q: How can International SOS assist in the event of death?

A: International SOS will render all assistance possible to the University to obtain clearances and arrange transportation for the return of mortal remains.

 

Q: What should I do in the event of a security emergency?

A: Call  an alarm center listed on the back of your membership card, and a security  specialist will assist you.

 

Q: What is security evacuation assistance and coordination?

A: The  SOS Security Division will assist the University in the event of threatening situations such as civil and/or political unrest insurrections, revolution  or similar situations by providing information, guidance and resources in the event personal safety and security can no longer be assured.

 

Q: How do I access up-to-the-minute information about security alerts, warnings and the latest situations?

A: You can visit the website: http://www.internationalalsos.com/members_home/Security/