As a part of the terms of your award, you are covered by a basic health insurance plan for the period of your grant, plus direct traveling time from the U.S. to Norway and return travel. The U.S. Department of State (ECA) has contracted with a third-party administrator for the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE), Seven Corners, Inc.  The Fulbright Office in Norway is responsible for enrolling current grantees, and for issuing their insurance cards.

Seven Corners offers a telephone number that can be dialed collect when outside of the United States.  Seven Corners can provide assistance to US students trying to locate a physician overseas and in some cases has established a process where overseas physicians can direct bill Seven Corners (lessening the out-of-pocket expenses for US grantees).  US grantees will also have the option to order maintenance drugs prior to their overseas departure.

Please take a minute to review the ASPE website www.usdos.sevencorners.com.  If you have questions regarding your insurance, please go to this site where you will find the ASPE benefits guide, downloadable ASPE forms and "MyPlan" - a password accessible site which provides grantees services such as claims tracking and downloadable .pdf files of your ID cards.

As of April 1, 2007, all Fulbright grantees are provided the following health benefits coverage through ASPE:

• $100,000 maximum per accident or sickness
• $10,000 maximum repatriation
• Actual cost of medevac
• $1,000 maximum dental (for the alleviation of pain)
• $25 deductible per accident or sickness (which grantees are required to pay at the time of the healthcare provider visit.
  
  

ASPE Insurance and the Norwegian National Health Care Scheme (“Folketrygden”)

Because you are covered by the ASPE insurance, you do not qualify for the Norwegian National Health Care Scheme (“Folketrygden”).

Spouses and Dependents

The ASPE Insurance is for the Fulbright grantee only. We recommend that dependents obtain their insurance from another source.

Spouses and dependents of Fulbright grantees can apply for membership in the Norwegian National Health Care Scheme, but membership will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Generally, if the principal person does not qualify for membership, neither do the dependents.

Action Requested:

No later than June 1, please e-mail us the following information, which we need in order to issue your insurance card (be sure to write "Insurance for US grantees" in the subject line of the e-mail):

• Departure date from the U.S. (approximate if not known)
• Arrival date in Norway (approximate if not known)
• Departure date from Norway (approximate if not known)
• Address in Norway (if known)