INTERNATIONAL SOS (ISOS) COVERAGE
All MIT students are covered during their experiences abroad by ISOS, which provides international medical, security and travel assistance. ISOS is not health insurance; however, they will help you navigate the local healthcare system, make appointments, and get care if necessary. They will also help coordinate insurance payments and claims. If you're feeling ill and want to see a doctor, if you're not feeling well but you're not sure if you need to be seen, if you have a safety and/or security issue (including harassment), or need to talk to someone about mental health questions, call ISOS - they will be your first point of contact. If you are in a dire emergency and need immediate care, you should contact local emergency services first; see the Important Phone Numbers and Websites page for more information.
MISTI will provide you with an ISOS Membership card with MIT’s Membership number. The dedicated telephone number for students who will travel to Brazil is +1 215 942 8478. If you will use a smart phone while abroad, MISTI encourages you to download the ISOS app. Students can call ISOS directly from the app; when you arrive in Brazil, you should test this by giving ISOS a trial call. You can tell them you're making sure you know how to use the app.
ISOS also accepts collect calls from students abroad. If you plan to use a Brazilian SIM card, make sure you know the carrier code and prefixes necessary to dial when making a collect call.
All MIT students are covered during their experiences abroad by ISOS, which provides international medical, security and travel assistance. ISOS is not health insurance; however, they will help you navigate the local healthcare system, make appointments, and get care if necessary. They will also help coordinate insurance payments and claims. If you're feeling ill and want to see a doctor, if you're not feeling well but you're not sure if you need to be seen, if you have a safety and/or security issue (including harassment), or need to talk to someone about mental health questions, call ISOS - they will be your first point of contact. If you are in a dire emergency and need immediate care, you should contact local emergency services first; see the Important Phone Numbers and Websites page for more information.
MISTI will provide you with an ISOS Membership card with MIT’s Membership number. The dedicated telephone number for students who will travel to Brazil is +1 215 942 8478. If you will use a smart phone while abroad, MISTI encourages you to download the ISOS app. Students can call ISOS directly from the app; when you arrive in Brazil, you should test this by giving ISOS a trial call. You can tell them you're making sure you know how to use the app.
ISOS also accepts collect calls from students abroad. If you plan to use a Brazilian SIM card, make sure you know the carrier code and prefixes necessary to dial when making a collect call.
HEALTH INSURANCE
MIT Travel Health Insurance
MIT will provide international travel health insurance for MIT students that will act as your primary travel/health insurance while in Brazil. Please confirm with your program manager if you are eligible to get the MIT travel health insurance. If you are covered by other health insurance policies, do not cancel them as you might be able to use them as secondary insurance if necessary. If you currently use the MIT Extended Health Insurance plan, your coverage expires on August 31 of the current year (even if you have graduated). MISTI and/or the MIT-Brazil Program will help you determine whether you need coverage in addition to or in lieu of your MIT coverage. You or someone on your behalf must call ISOS if you need to use the insurance.
As with most health insurance plans, MIT's international travel (also called "Study Abroad" insurance) has limits and exclusions. Injuries that are the result of extreme sports (e.g. skydiving) or that happen while committing an illegal act for example are not covered. Mental health care is covered, with a limit of USD$5000. Click here to view an updated brochure.
Verify other health insurance policies' coverage abroad
Updated November 2017
MIT Travel Health Insurance
MIT will provide international travel health insurance for MIT students that will act as your primary travel/health insurance while in Brazil. Please confirm with your program manager if you are eligible to get the MIT travel health insurance. If you are covered by other health insurance policies, do not cancel them as you might be able to use them as secondary insurance if necessary. If you currently use the MIT Extended Health Insurance plan, your coverage expires on August 31 of the current year (even if you have graduated). MISTI and/or the MIT-Brazil Program will help you determine whether you need coverage in addition to or in lieu of your MIT coverage. You or someone on your behalf must call ISOS if you need to use the insurance.
As with most health insurance plans, MIT's international travel (also called "Study Abroad" insurance) has limits and exclusions. Injuries that are the result of extreme sports (e.g. skydiving) or that happen while committing an illegal act for example are not covered. Mental health care is covered, with a limit of USD$5000. Click here to view an updated brochure.
Verify other health insurance policies' coverage abroad
- Do you have MIT Extended Student Health Plan? You're good to go - the Extended Plan also covers you abroad. Click here for information on preferred providers abroad.
- Are you on your parents' plan, a partner's plan, or have your own? Check with the insurance carrier - not all companies or plans have the same level of coverage or the same preferred providers.
Updated November 2017