Cultural Insurance Services International

What CISI is

Cultural Insurance Services International, which calls itself CISI throughout its site, sells and administers health insurance for the international education market. Its FAQ refers to itself as the "Plan Administrator," and the site describes its services as "accident and sickness insurance, assistance services, claim administration, 24-hour multilingual phone support, and online tools." The pages name no underwriter for the individual and group health plans. The contact block gives an address at 1 High Ridge Park, Stamford, CT, and a toll-free line.

CISI sells to three audiences, each with its own homepage block:

• U.S. students studying abroad: "Comprehensive and affordable health insurance and services for U.S. students studying abroad," with "24/7 emergency assistance, an in-house crisis management team, and Telehealth Services." The homepage says these "Plans meet or exceed visa requirements and start at just $34/month."
• International students, scholars and visitors coming to the U.S.: "F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa-compliant health insurance for international students and scholars," with "24/7 multilingual assistance and emergency medical support" and "Affordable monthly rates."
• Groups and study abroad providers: "One flat and affordable rate per participant, regardless of age," including "medical, trip interruption, and emergency evacuation coverage."

The FAQ is clear about the scope of its cover: it is "specifically designed for U.S. citizens engaged in cultural exchanges through their U.S. institutions or a recognized study abroad program." For independent travelers the FAQ points to "our sister organization, CareMed."

What the plans cover

For outbound students, the FAQ says, "Students studying outside the United States are covered everywhere outside of the country (not applicable to inbound visitor plans)," so the outbound plan gives no cover in the U.S. On deductibles, the FAQ answers a direct question with "CISI offers a comprehensive plan paid at 100% up to the maximum benefit with a $0 deductible." It does not name that plan or state its maximum benefit.

On pre-existing conditions the FAQ is plain: "There is no coverage for pre-existing conditions on any of the individual products." Group plans differ: "Because group plans are customizable, they may have the option to cover pre-existing conditions." One exception applies to all: "pre-existing conditions are covered in the event of a medical evacuation."

For inbound students the FAQ says the International Student & Scholar plan "meets all U.S. department regulations," and that "your insurance can be valid for as long as your J-1, F-1, or M-1 visa is valid." In the U.S., "CISI utilizes Aetna as our Preferred Provider Network"; using an Aetna provider "is not required but will help reduce any potential out-of-pocket expenses." Prescriptions for a covered illness or injury are covered, but "All prescription medications must be paid by you to the pharmacy at the point of purchase," and then claimed back.

Enrolling and paying

Individual enrollment is online with a credit card, and a parent may enroll for a student. Timing is fixed: "Your coverage can start within 2 days from the time of enrollment," and "A 2-day wait period is required after enrollment to receive coverage." A student may enroll "up until two days before your requested insurance start date." After paying, the FAQ says, a student receives "an email confirmation with a medical ID card, consulate letter, and a claim form," and the consulate letter serves as proof of insurance "addressed to the Consulate General of the hosting country."

The outbound enrollment form sets eligibility: "U.S. Citizens or U.S Permanent Residents/Green Card holders or J-1, F-1 or M-1 visa holders in the USA who are enrolled at a U.S. institution or on a recognized study abroad program" and temporarily engaged in educational or cultural activities outside their home country.

Premiums run by the month: "the minimum amount of coverage that can be purchased is one month," and "The maximum coverage period you can purchase is 12 months." CISI recommends paying up front for the full period, though "participants may choose to renew/extend the policy monthly," which "requires a written request and additional payment for each renewal/extension." A group leader can enroll a small group through Group Online Enrollment under the individual plan, and universities request group quotes from an Account Executive.

Claims and assistance

Abroad, a student presents the ID card, and "Foreign providers can contact your assistance service toll-free to verify eligibility and benefits 24/7/365." For a serious illness or injury, the stated goal is "to have the hospital or facility bill CISI directly for covered treatment," and the student or a companion opens a case with Team Assist, which "is able to guarantee payments." Team Assist is run by an outside assistance company that depends on the policy: the FAQ says it is "provided by AXA Assistance USA" for policy numbers containing "GLM," and "provided by Assist America" for "STI" or "STB" policies. It gathers the facts, contacts the treating doctor, judges the adequacy of local care and stability for travel, and makes arrangements.

Out-of-pocket claims go through the online Participant Portal, or by mail, email or fax. The FAQ says, "Please allow 15 business days from the receipt date, not including weekends and holidays, for claim review and processing." Checks go to a U.S. address, take 7 to 10 business days by USPS, and "are valid for 120 days from the date of issuance." CISI can also wire claim payouts, which may take 1 to 3 business days depending on bank and country. The CISI Traveler app holds documents, provider search, Team Assist contacts, a check-in feature and U.S. State Department travel warnings.

The Worldwide Trip Protector program

A separate page offers trip cancellation cover for educational travel. It says, "The following page was prepared by Travel Insured International," and states that "The Worldwide Trip Protector Plans with travel insurance underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company, rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best 2020, may help protect the financial investment for educational travel." Its benefit list includes travel delay, "Accident & Sickness Medical Expense," "Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains," "24-Hour Accidental Death & Dismemberment," baggage, and political, security and natural disaster evacuation. Cancel For Any Reason and Interrupt For Any Reason each pay "up to 75% of non-refundable Trip Cost"; "CFAR must be purchased within 21 days of the date when your initial deposit/payment is received," and "CFAR and IFAR are not available in NY." The plans carry a 14 day Free Look period with a full refund if the buyer has not departed or claimed. The fine print mentions "an exclusion for pre-existing conditions" and lists Travel Insured's "California license #0I13223."

Who it suits

On the site's terms, CISI fits a U.S. student going abroad on an institution's program, or an F-1, M-1 or J-1 student or scholar coming to the U.S. who wants monthly cover of up to 12 months at a time, a consulate letter at enrollment, and an Aetna network in the U.S. Individual buyers with pre-existing conditions get no cover for them outside a medical evacuation. Institutions can buy a group plan with one flat rate per participant regardless of age.