All U-M F-1 students (including OPT students) and all U-M J-1 students (including AT students) and scholars are automatically covered by the BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions Travel Assistance Plan. Dependents of these students and scholars are also covered. This coverage is free of charge and no enrollment forms are needed.
The plan is called the BCBS Global Solutions International MERE Plan. MERE stands for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation, but the plan offers additional services too. For example:
- If you are hospitalized, the plan can help cover costs for your parents to come to the United States to visit you.
- In the event of the death, or a serious/life-threatening illness, of an immediate family member, the plan will help cover costs for you to return home.
For specific information about what the plan covers, see travel assistance coverage provided by BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions.
You must contact BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions in advance and ask them to approve your request. If you don't contact them in advance or if they do not approve your request, your expenses will not be covered.
To contact BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions:
- Call 1-610-290-0345, explain that you are covered by the BCBS Global Solutions International MERE Plan, and provide the U-M code GTB9999BCMI1. BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions will then open a case for you and ask you for the information they will need to help you.
- You will receive assistance more quickly if you contact BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions by phone, but you can also contact BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions by email at [email protected]. In that case, please allow 72 hours for a response.
- If you prefer, you can also ask the International Center’s Insurance Advisor to contact BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions for you.