The AFS Medical Plan will continue to respond solely to immediate illness and/or injury, anything considered routine or preventative will not fall under the Travel Medical Plan and will be the responsibility of the student and their parents/guardians. Treatment for COVID-19 illness while on the program is covered under the AFS Medical Plan, while required routine COVID-19 testing is not covered.
Topics to consider when speaking with Study Abroad participants:
Who covers the cost of COVID-19 tests required prior to departure from the home country?
The student’s parents/guardians are responsible for the COVID-19 testing costs. The AFS Medical Plan responds to participants who get injured or sick while they are on program.
Who covers the costs of COVID-19 tests required by the hosting country upon arrival?
The student’s parents/guardians. This is in line with common practice, i.e. if a participant arrives in the host country and needs a vaccination to enter school, the participant pays for that.
If during the program a participant goes to the doctor and requires tests to determine if the participant has COVID-19, who covers those costs?
The AFS Medical Plan covers costs related to diagnosis and treatment of illness. From that perspective as an insurer, this is not categorized as specifically related to COVID-19, but, rather, it is categorized as an illness. If a doctor orders a test, then it is a covered expense. If a school requires an additional test for a new period, then the sending family would pay.