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New benefits provide emotional support, emergency medical insurance coverage for Emory global travelers
international sos ID card

Emory University employees and students using Emory-sponsored international travel now have access to emotional support services and emergency medical insurance through the university’s International SOS membership.

Emory has provided International SOS as a benefit to Emory University faculty, staff and students on university-sponsored travel outside of the U.S since 2009.  The program offers support for travelers navigating incidents large and small — from lost passports to assistance during natural disasters, medical evacuations and more.

Now, the new emotional support and health insurance benefits make the program even more robust.

Emotional support 

International SOS emotional support services assist students, academic researchers, faculty members and employees in dealing with any psychological issues for which short-term counseling is appropriate while abroad. 

The service is provided through WorkPlace Options — the world’s leading employee wellbeing company — as part of a global wellbeing program.

Accessing emotional support services involves three steps:

  • Contact International SOS to connect with a professional counselor from WorkPlace Options.
  • A professional mental health counselor with WorkPlace Options conducts an assessment to determine the appropriate level of intervention. This assessment incorporates the presenting issue, support systems, coping strategies, background information and a risk assessment.
  • A plan including the short-term focus — and incorporating goals agreed upon with the participant — is created. This may include up to five sessions of structured counseling.

Therapy concentrates on helping individuals identify the skills, strengths and resources that are already present and work toward a solution. Counseling methods are tailored to a mobile workforce: phone, video-call or face-to-face sessions are available. 

International travel health insurance 

A health insurance aspect of Emory’s International SOS was added in November 2022. This component provides international emergency medical and evacuation insurance. It is supplemental health insurance; travelers should maintain their primary policy while traveling.  

For additional information about International SOS or the new emotional support and emergency medical insurance benefits, email Kenya Casey, director of global safety and security in the Office of Global Strategy and Initiatives, or contact Kevin Wysner, program manager in the Office of Insurance Services, by email or by calling 404-778-7937. 




More about International SOS  

International SOS provides Emory's students, faculty and staff with international medical, security and travel assistance when traveling abroad on Emory business or sponsored programs (study abroad, research, etc.). These benefits are managed and administered by International SOS, the world’s largest medical and security assistance company, with more than 6,000 professionals in 24-hour assistance centers, international clinics and remote-site medical facilities across five continents. International SOS is the leader in its field, ready to help travelers with all medical and security needs. 

International SOS can assist in the trip-planning process by providing detailed in-country information such as travel warnings, cultural information and medical alerts. It also provides travelers with a safe way to store all necessary documentation. Once abroad, International SOS can help with translators and interpreters, lost document assistance, ground transportation and accommodations for accompanying family members, and emergency personal cash advances. 

Spouses and dependent children are covered members under the International SOS program when accompanying an eligible Emory student, faculty or staff member.

To aid in the planning of a trip, Emory travelers can reach out to International SOS for a medical or security briefing at any time, although it is most beneficial before travel begins. Travelers are encouraged to request both the medical and security briefings, which are free, and may call and request follow-up information from International SOS any time. 

In case of emergency while traveling, seek local assistance as applicable and contact International SOS as soon as possible via phone or the International SOS Assistance app

International SOS information session

Learn more about International SOS and the expanded benefits during an online Global Learning Series session with Kenya Casey, director of global safety and security, on Thursday, Jan. 26, at 1 p.m. Register to participate.


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