Medical Insurance
This is a summary but not the full description of the plan(s). For all terms and conditions, please refer to the Medical Pamphlets in the linked below for details.
AFS provides every participant with the Participant Medical Plan, an extensive secondary medical insurance to ensure that prompt, suitable medical treatment is given to any AFS participant anywhere in the world, whenever needed. If a participant gets unexpectedly hurt or ill while on an AFS program, AFS seeks to ensure that his or her participant medical expenses will be paid.
A secondary insurance is responsible for medical expenses only if the expenses are not payable through a primary policy first, such as a national health plan or private insurance held by the natural family (the participant’s family). When no primary insurance exists the Participant Medical Plan acts as the primary source of payment for medical expenses.
Although the AFS Participant Medical Plan does not cover pre-existing conditions, it will cover treatment for any illnesses or injuries that occur while abroad. We recommend that AFS participants maintain their primary insurance, in addition to having AFS’s secondary medical coverage while abroad.
All AFS Participants are provided with secondary travel medical coverage for the duration of their program.
- For Participants currently on an AFS program who seek medical care on or before December 31, 2024 refer to the AFS Medical Pamphlet 2024 for coverage information.
- For participants currently on an AFS program who seek care on or after January 1, 2025 AND those leaving to go on program in 2025 refer to the AFS Medical Pamphlet 2025 for details on coverage in 2025.
Filing a claim for medical care through December 31, 2024
Global Medical Management Inc. (GMMI) is the medical claims administrator for the AFS Participant Medical Plan 2024. In accordance with the AFS Participation Agreement, which all parents/guardians and participants sign, the AFS Participant Medical Plan provides secondary coverage for participants while they are on the AFS program. This means that AFS will pay for medical expenses up front to ensure that the appropriate care or treatment is provided in a timely manner. After these expenses are settled, AFS will try to recover these expenses from primary insurance sources such as private or national health plans. This helps AFS to keep medical costs down while providing a comprehensive coverage plan for the majority of participants who are not covered under any other health insurance. The AFS Participant Medical Plan is ultimately responsible for medical expenses if not reimbursable through a primary policy.
The terms of the Participant Medical Plan are outlined in the Participation Agreement (form #10 of the full application) and in the AFS-USA booklet entitled “AFS Participant Medical Plan.” Participants and parents/guardians should be sure to review the Participation Agreement and the AFS Medical Plan Information booklet. The Medical Plan booklet is mailed to participants when their applications are sent abroad for review.
The national office of the AFS partner country you are traveling to determines how claims will be handled in that country. This information is available to US participants and host families abroad.
For details on how to file a claim after January 1, 2025 refer to the AFS Medical Pamphlet 2025 and this Medical Claim Filing Process Guide