PRESCRIPTIONS AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES ABROAD

If you have a pre-existing medical condition that will require treatment or access to medication while traveling, you should make arrangements to verify a safe and adequate supply to medications or supplies for the entirety of your travel.

It is also recommended to carry a medical record with you as well as a list of all drugs you are taking, including any not related to disease, and identify any chronic ailments, allergies or hypersensitivities. If you are not local to campus,

The International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) provides a searchable listing of its member clinics by state at istm.org/AF_CstmClinicDirectory.asp. Your personal physician may also be able to review this information with you or recommend an appropriate local resource.

Vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), including influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Td/Tdap, varicella, meningococcal, MMR, pneumococcal, zoster and HPV, are covered at 100 percent by the Ohio State Student Health Insurance.

Other travel-related immunizations are covered at 50 percent of the negotiated charge. If you have private primary health insurance, check with your provider about coverage amounts for immunizations. Predeparture immunizations are not covered by the supplemental travel insurance either prior to or during travel. Prescriptions Please note that some common prescription and over-the-counter medications in the United States may be illegal or unavailable abroad (e.g., Adderall is illegal in Japan and Thailand). GeoBlue insurance provides a drug translation database to verify prescription availability of more than 350 brand names in 41 countries - geobluestudents.com. If you do not see your prescription or country or need further clarification, call GeoBlue Health and Safety Services at 1-844-268-2686 (in the United States) or 1-610-254-8771 (outside the United States). The Office of International Affairs recommends that you ask the following questions:

• Is your prescription legal in the countries where you will travel? • Can you bring enough for the duration of your travel abroad?

• Can you refill the prescription abroad? 28

• What documentation will you need to get the prescription filled abroad?

• Are there any changes in dosage amounts? You will need to have your GeoBlue certificate number to access this service. Please contact your education abroad coordinator if you would like to expedite your insurance enrollment to utilize this service. If, in consultation with GeoBlue, you determine you can bring an adequate supply for the duration of your travel, make sure you:

• Transport all medications in the original container.

• Have a prescription with your physician’s explanation of the condition and generic and brand names of the medication and dosage information.

• Carry all medications and documentation in your carry-on luggage.

• Maintain your usual dosage and pattern of taking your medication while you are abroad and ask your physician how to make adjustments due to travel and time zone changes.

In some cases your doctor or pharmacist may request confirmation of your travel in order to prescribe a more than normal amount. The Office of International Affairs can provide you with a prescription letter to take to your doctor or pharmacist. Please ask for this letter from your education abroad coordinator well in advance of your trip. Do not plan on sending medications abroad or having them shipped to you. If you require a legal refill of your prescription while abroad, GeoBlue provides coverage for prescriptions prescribed by a medical professional.

Participants will need to pay for prescription medicine outof-pocket and file a claim with GeoBlue for reimbursement. If you cannot locate a prescription that is lost or needs to be refilled, contact GeoBlue Health and Safety Services at 1-844-268-2686 (in the United States), 1-610- 254-8771 (outside the United States) or globalhealth@geo-blue.com to discuss options for obtaining medications.

Medical testing and supplies

If you are currently managing a health condition that requires periodic testing (e.g., blood tests) or access to medical supplies or devices (e.g., epipen, inhaler, insulin pump, medicine refrigerator, ozone generator) do not assume that supplies will be legal and easily accessible abroad. Contact GeoBlue Health and Safety Services at 1-844-268-2686 (in the United States), 1-610-254-8771 (outside the United States) or globalhealth@geo-blue.com. GeoBlue can help determine accessibility abroad, and, where possible under local laws and insurance coverage, they may be able to arrange access to testing and supplies in-country. If routine appointments are needed and scheduled, please consult with your resident director and education abroad coordinator about making allowances in the program schedule to coordinate these appointments.

Mental Health

The Health Information form asks you to disclose any past and current mental health conditions and prescription medicines you are taking to manage your health. Changes in environment, diet, routine and cultural norms can all impact your health. In addition compounding factors addressed in this handbook such as jet-lag, culture shock, intercultural adaptation and changes in your personal support infrastructure can also adversely impact your well-being. If you are currently receiving counseling or treatment for a mental health condition, or if you are incurring symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression, we encourage you to discuss your study abroad experience with trained medical professionals. If you are currently receiving counseling or treatment, you should:

1. Discuss. Review your plans for participating in a study abroad program and issues related to cultural adjustment with your mental health professional.

2. Plan. Develop a proactive plan to manage your health while abroad. Traveling abroad will change any support infrastructure you have developed to manage your health. Speak with your medical professional about triggers that might influence your health, indicators that your health may have changed and resources at home and abroad to create a new support infrastructure. If your medical professional has questions about the resources available, they can contact the international risk manager at simmons.541@osu.edu or 614-247-8351. If you are currently managing a health condition that requires periodic testing (e.g., blood tests) or access to medical supplies or devices (e.g., epipen, inhaler, insulin pump, medicine refrigerator, ozone generator) do not assume that supplies will be legal and easily accessible abroad. Contact GeoBlue Health and Safety Services at 1-844-268-2686 (in the United States), 1-610-254-8771 (outside the United States) or globalhealth@geo-blue.com. GeoBlue can help determine accessibility abroad, and, where possible under local laws and insurance coverage, they may be able to arrange access to testing and supplies in-country. If routine appointments are needed and scheduled, please consult with your resident director and education abroad coordinator about making allowances in the program schedule to coordinate these appointments. Mental Health 30

3. Prescriptions. If you are taking prescription medicine to manage your health, please refer to the section in this handbook on prescriptions. Some common forms of anti-anxiety medications and psychostimulants prescribed in the United States are illegal or unavailable in certain countries. Follow the instructions to work with GeoBlue Insurance on determining availability and accessibility while abroad.

4. Continuing Care. The GeoBlue insurance includes a provision for certain coverage of both outpatient and inpatient support for mental health conditions, including preexisting conditions (see insurance coverage for details and exclusions). An important factor in pre-departure planning is determining the availability of English language medical professionals in your city, region or country abroad.

GeoBlue has a searchable function for medical professionals available at https://www.geo-blue.com/personalized_destination/. If you cannot identify a professional or want to clarify coverage with another local professional, contact GeoBlue Health and Safety Services at 1-844-268-2686 (in the United States), 1-610-254-8771 (outside the United States ) or globalhealth@geo-blue.com. You will need to have your GeoBlue enrollment card and certificate number to access this service.

Please contact your education abroad coordinator if you would like to expedite your insurance enrollment to utilize this service. In addition, your primary insurance may have additional resources or coverage. If routine appointments are needed and scheduled, please consult with your resident director and education abroad coordinator about making allowances in the program schedule to coordinate these appointments.

5. If you are not currently receiving treatment but are concerned about managing your mental health abroad, Ohio State’s Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) has trained medical professionals who can work with you to develop a plan to address your concerns and manage your health abroad. CCS services are free to all currently enrolled students for up to ten sessions per academic year. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 614-292-5766. CCS appointments are scheduled well in advance and are managed by level of urgency, so plan ahead and prepare to schedule this conversation at least two months before you depart on your program.