Approved Academic Travel Rider Coverage, Rates, and Contacts

*Rates for enrollment in the approved academic travel rider

*Premiums are not prorated or refunded for less than a full semester travel and do not apply to the deductible.

Are the Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care coverage and the Approved Academic Travel Rider through Aetna the same plan? Will my copayments and cost-share payments be the same as if I were receiving my care with Yale Health?

The Approved Academic Travel Rider provides coverage for the duration of your approved travel, but it has a different plan structure and benefits than the Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care plan when you are on campus. Please review your Yale Health Student Coverage Book and Schedule of Benefits, and call Aetna at 866-253-8886 to confirm that services for any care you are currently undergoing or may undergo are covered by the Approved Academic Travel Rider through Aetna. Services for care may not be covered or may not be covered at the same cost, and you may have a cost-share payment responsibility.

Where can I learn more about this plan option?

Care for students enrolled in the Approved Academic Travel Rider will be administered by Aetna Healthcare. Please visit Aetna’s self-service member portal to access Aetna’s comprehensive online resources, including plan documents, ID Cards, claim forms and claims status, clinician search, and their free mobile app or call Aetna Member Services at 866-253-8886.

Do I need a referral/prior-authorization for care?

Referrals are not required for routine and follow-up physician care provided by an Aetna PCP.  Referrals from an Aetna PCP are required for specialist care.  Prior authorization from Yale Health is required for hospital and surgical care.  Outpatient mental health visits do not require prior authorization from Yale Health until the 11th visit.  

Am I eligible to enroll in the Approved Academic Travel Rider?

You must be a Yale University student enrolled in Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care coverage and approved by your school to fulfill a degree requirement as stated in the relevant graduate or professional school’s bulletin/student handbook or Yale College’s Programs of Study.

How do I enroll?

The Yale College Dean’s Office or your school must indicate in the University system that you are approved to travel domestically outside of the Yale Health service area to fulfill a degree requirement as stated in the relevant graduate or professional school’s bulletin/student handbook or Yale College’s Programs of Study.  Once that happens, enrollment in the Approved Academic Travel Rider can be completed online at academictravelrider.yale.edu.

When is the enrollment period?

The enrollment period is June 1–30 to purchase the Approved Academic Travel Rider for fall term (August 1-January 31), and November 1–January 15 to purchase the Approved Academic Travel Rider for spring term (February 1-July 31).

Do I need to enroll for each semester that I will be away?

Yes.  If your approved academic travel spans more than one semester, you will be required to re-enroll in the Approved Academic Travel Rider for each semester.

What areas are excluded?

The Yale Health service area, Alaska, and Hawaii are excluded. The Yale Health service area is defined as Connecticut.

How long am I covered?

You will be covered for the period of approved academic travel.  If you are approved by the Yale College Dean’s Office or your school to travel domestically to fulfill a degree requirement as stated in the relevant graduate or professional school’s bulletin/student handbook or Yale College’s Programs of Study for less than a full semester, you will have the Approved Academic Travel Rider only for the period of approved academic travel.

I’ve been approved for the Approved Academic Travel Rider, when does my coverage start and end?

Your coverage starts on the effective date of your approved academic travel, and terminates as of the end date of your approved academic travel.

Can I enroll my family members?

You may enroll your lawfully married spouse or civil union partner and/or legally dependent children who are under the age of 26, and who are enrolled in Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care coverage.

What if I need an appointment?

Be sure to choose an Aetna in-network provider before seeking services.  If you use a provider outside of Aetna’s network, those services will not be covered and payment will be your responsibility.

Do I need to choose a primary care physician?

Yes. Be sure to choose an Aetna Primary Care Provider (PCP) before seeking services. Your Yale Health Student Health Primary Care Clinician is NOT an in-network provider with Aetna, and you must establish care with an Aetna Primacy Care Provider. If you use a provider outside of Aetna’s network, those services will not be covered and payment will be your responsibility.

You can search for available providers in your approved travel area by visiting aetna.com and selecting “Find a doctor” at the top of the screen. You’ll be taken to a portal where you can log into a registered account or continue as a guest to enter your location to access providers specific to this plan’s benefits.

What should I do in the event of a medical emergency?

Call 911 or go immediately to the nearest medical facility.  Notify Yale Health within 48 hours by calling 877-947-2273.

What happens to my coverage if I end my travel early, withdraw from Yale, take a leave of absence, or lose my eligible Yale student status after I begin my travel?

Your Approved Academic Travel Rider will terminate on the date that your approved academic travel ends/the date your status changes.  You must notify your school immediately.

If I get married while I’m away, can I add my new spouse right away?

No.  You must wait until the next enrollment period during which you will be approved for academic travel within the US.

Who do I contact with questions about the plan?

For questions or more information, contact Aetna at 866-253-8886 or Yale Health at 203-432-0246 or member.services@yale.edu.

How will I get my membership ID card for the rider?

Visit aetna.com and register for an Aetna Navigator account to download an ID card.  You can also access Aetna’s comprehensive online resources through this site, including:

• ID cards and claim forms
• Claim status
• Doctor search
• Free mobile app

Can I cancel my coverage after enrolling in the Approved Academic Travel Rider, but before my travel or the coverage period begins?

No.  After you submit your enrollment, the process will be complete and you will be enrolled with coverage effective for the period of time in which you will be away from the Yale Health service area for approved academic travel within the US.  In other words, you will not be able to cancel or change your enrollment in the coverage.

Is this coverage the same as my Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care coverage?

No.  Your Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care coverage reimburses 100%, minus applicable copays, for emergency care worldwide.  This Approved Academic Travel Rider supplements Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care and provides coverage for non-emergent illness and chronic care while travelling within the US, outside of the Yale Health service area. 

For questions or more information, contact Aetna at 866-253-8886 or Yale Health at 203-432-0246 or member.services@yale.edu.

Who should consider purchasing the Approved Academic Travel Rider?

Students who are approved to travel domestically to fulfill a degree requirement as stated in the relevant graduate or professional school’s bulletin/student handbook or Yale College’s Programs of Study who:

• have ongoing medical condition(s) that need monitoring;
• intend to seek care while away from campus;
• use a lot of prescriptions and don’t want to file paper claims;
• do not want to return to campus for routine or follow up care (e.g. physical therapy);
• are covering a child.