Dear Member: Algonquin College continues to be concerned with your health and safety while you are traveling to an international location, participating in a study abroad or academic assignment abroad. What would you do if you became ill or were involved in an accident in a foreign country? How would you deal with such an emergency where language is a problem and adequate standards of medical care cannot be guaranteed? For more than 25 years, International SOS has been helping its members stay healthy, safe and secure. So, if you run out of medication in Budapest, need to see a doctor in Beijing, lose your passport in Ghana or encounter a medical or security crisis anywhere in the world, help from a caring professional is just a phone call away. Services range from telephone advice and referrals to full-scale evacuation by private air ambulance. The International SOS network of multilingual critical care and aero-medical specialists operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from its Assistance Centers around the world. Your Intl.SOS membership is a valuable protection against unexpected difficulties that can arise when you are away from home. The company has invested in building a physical infrastructure and its own provider network, resourced by medical, security and technical professionals. It employs 10,000 dedicated employees worldwide, with more than 1,200 doctors, multilingual coordinators, and more than 200 security specialists and has over 90 languages and dialects spoken. Present in over 70 countries with a network of 78 offices, 27 Assistance Centers, 35 private clinics, and a fleet of air ambulances, International SOS can address or facilitate a whole range of medical, mental health, dental, legal and other consultative needs. From a Security Assistance standpoint, International SOS and Control Risks have joined forces to provide travel security support giving our clients access to best-in-class security information, advice, tracking and on-the-ground support. International SOS s 27 Assistance Centers are the initial access point for members to contact us for security advice and services. Our Global Security Center in London operates 24/7 providing urgent and non-critical advice via phone or email to travelers from experienced security specialists with extensive backgrounds. Our Global Information Center includes a central, 24/7 team in New Delhi that is supported by analytical resources in London, Singapore, Philadelphia, Dubai and Paris. Our 6 Regional Security Centers have teams in Dubai, London, New Delhi, Paris, Philadelphia and Singapore that are on standby day and night to deploy support of an evacuation or other assistance. They add critical knowledge and expertise as well as providing operational and analytical support. Our dedicated team of full-time security specialists and analysts has experience in security management, the military, intelligence agencies, diplomatic services, law enforcement, civil aviation security, journalism and academia. Comprised of professionals with diverse nationalities and backgrounds, they have significant experience in living and working in some of the most challenging regions.
Using the Intl.SOS Program In order to utilize any of the medical, security or travel services offered, contact an International SOS Assistance Center from anywhere in the world by calling directly, calling collect, or by calling the toll-free number. The dedicated Scholastic line is reachable by calling +1.215.942.8478 Program Benefits Medical Services Travel Services Security Services Emergency evacuation Medically-supervised repatriation Companion ticket Additional travel and accommodation arrangements after medical evacuation Repatriation 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 Claims assistance Outpatient medical expense guarantee and payment Inpatient medical expense guarantee, cost review and payment Dispatch of medication and medical supplies Legal referrals Emergency message transmission Translations and interpreters Lost document advice Ground transportation and accommodations for accompanying family members Emergency personal cash advances Security evacuation Online Security e-mail alert service Access to Intl.SOS Crisis Center Helping you in an Emergency: Medical and Security Evacuations For any medical emergencies, expert help is just a phone call away to receive practical and effective support. This includes: Providing emergency medical advice, arranging an ambulance and transport to the nearest hospital or clinic. Providing emergency medical evacuation or repatriation, with medical escort if required, to a suitable medical facility. International SOS has exclusive access to dedicated ambulances, air ambulances and portable medical equipment that converts any aircraft into an intensive care unit. Assisting with hospital admittance, guaranteeing any hospitalization deposit, and monitoring patients condition to ensure appropriate provision of medical care. Assist in obtaining documentation for medical insurance claims. Coordinating travel arrangements for the patient s family members. For any security emergencies, we will work with you to provide advice and assistance as well as evacuate you to the nearest international safe haven. This includes: Activating our incident management resources and deploying our on-the-ground security teams Establishing communication between you and your university s key contacts Providing referrals, advice or coordination for escort and protection services from the local site to the departure point Managing an individual or mass evacuation Coordinating post-incident debriefs and counseling support after the event
International SOS Member s Only Website: Access to Medical and Security Information International SOS online gives you expedient access to information affecting your safety while abroad. Our experts monitor the global landscape in order to provide medical, security and travel information for 226 countries and 390 cities, including risk ratings, headlines of the latest medical and security updates, and travel information. Medical Alerts whenever there is an unusual health risk which can negatively impact travelers or those living abroad Special Incident Advisories or alerts give our analysis, recommendations and travel tips within 30 minutes of an event Daily Situation Updates of emerging and safety threats by country and level of risk published twice a day Proprietary Risk Ratings appear within country guides, advisories and situation updates Pull reports for the country or city of interest Integrated email registration As an International SOS member, you have the option of receiving a daily digest that contains all of the Situation Updates, Warnings, Alerts and Evacuation Notices issued in the previous 24 hours. As well, members can subscribe to alerts, modify their subscription profile and unsubscribe via the www.internationalsos.com website. International SOS Free Assistance App Download the International SOS Assistance App today so you get immediate access to a medical, security or logistical expert in time of need or for routine advice. You'll also get up-to-date medical and security advice and alerts for the locations where you are traveling. The Assistance App is available on Android, BlackBerry and iphone. Access this link from your Smartphone to install the App: http://app.internationalsos.com When prompted please enter your program number: 27ACMA087550 With this App on your Smartphone, you can: Quickly dial the nearest International SOS Assistance Center for help in an emergency, or any advice about your health or safety. View up-to-date medical and security alerts about the location you re in or traveling to. That way, you always know what s going on around the world and can change plans quickly, if needed. Receive essential medical and security advice and information about your destination from an authoritative source. Even in low-risk destinations, you may unexpectedly need advice or assistance. From replacing lost travel documents to getting emergency medication, with the International SOS Assistance App, help is just a click away. Think of it as your instant access to assistance. In addition, this App serves as an electronic copy of your membership card. As you continue your travels, we encourage you to take advantage of this technology, as well as this membership! Frequently Asked Questions What is the role of International SOS? International SOS provides your travelers and expatriates with worldwide quality health care and emergency assistance services 24 hours a day. How can International SOS help? International SOS provides you with peace of mind. 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 and legal problems when away from home. Call International SOS at any time to speak with a physician about simple or critical matters. How does it work? Carry the International SOS membership card with you at all times or download the Assistance App. It includes the telephone numbers of the four major worldwide International SOS Assistance Centers. In the event of an emergency, call one of the emergency phone numbers listed on the card.
What do I need to do to use the program? In order to utilize any of the medical or travel services listed under Program Benefits, contact any Intl.SOS Assistance Center from anywhere in the world by calling directly, calling collect or calling the toll-free number. For the full Assistance Center listings please log into the members only website www.internationalsos.com To ensure a prompt response when calling, you should be prepared to provide the following: Your name, location, age, sex and nationality The division for which you work Your International SOS membership number: 27ACMA087550 The telephone number from which you are calling (in case you are disconnected) Your relationship to the employee (if the person calling is not an employee) Name, location, and telephone number of the hospital or clinic (when applicable) Name, location, and telephone number of the treating doctor, and where the doctor can be reached (when applicable) What if I have pre-trip questions about my travel destination? In addition to calling the Assistance Center for any pre-trip questions you may have, you can access the Country Guides by visiting your intranet or logging into the member s only website, www.internationalsos.com using your program number, 27ACMA087550 These comprehensive guides provide medical 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. Do I need to activate my membership? No, your membership is already active. Simply carry the card in your wallet at all times while traveling or download the free Assistance App. Whenever you need service, contact one of the emergency phone numbers listed on the back of the card or use the direct dial function from the Assistance App. You do not need to report specific trip dates to International SOS each time you travel. What if I need a doctor? The International SOS Assistance Centers are listed on the back of your card. Call the International SOS Assistance Center that is nearest to you for a referral to a doctor who speaks your language. What if I need a lawyer while overseas? Call the nearest International SOS Assistance Center for legal referrals. What if I need prescription medication? 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. What if I am hospitalized? Call the nearest International SOS Assistance Center. International SOS will immediately take steps to evaluate the care you are receiving and determine what actions must be taken to ensure your safe and speedy recovery. What if local medical facilities are not adequate? If you are hospitalized in an area where adequate medical facilities are not available, International SOS will obtain approval from your 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. What happens when I am released from the hospital and still need help? 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 your university and arrange the repatriation under medical supervision.
Will International SOS pay my medical bills? After approval from your university, International SOS will guarantee and pay all costs associated with your medical care. International SOS will also medically monitor and evaluate your condition and ongoing medical expenses during your hospitalization. What should I do if I am concerned about my security or in the event of a security emergency? Contact one of our Assistance Centers and a security specialist will assist you for both urgent and non-urgent situations. What is security evacuation assistance and coordination? We will assist you in the event of threatening situations such as civil and political unrest, insurrections, revolution and similar situations by providing information, guidance and resources in the event personal safety and security can no longer be assured. Which International SOS Assistance Center do I contact? Although members can contact any International SOS Assistance Center at any time, we recommend that you contact the dedicated Scholastic line +1.215.942.8478. However, you can always contact our main Assistance Centers I fit is easier, when you need immediate medical, security, or travel advice or help in an emergency. *Be sure to know the country's outbound international dialing code before traveling to that country. In the event of death International SOS will render all assistance possible to obtain clearances and arrange transportation for the return of mortal remains.