Know before you go information!

All IFAS Faculty need to be sure your CED and DED approve your travel.  I am taking vacation time as a fully paid County Courtesy staff, but still registered.  You will need to fill out a TAR. That is why I need to know where your funds are coming from so I can work with Charlotte in County Operations to be sure your TAR is approved and funds are available for reimbursement.

UF Faculty must register with the International Center on campus and get a Medex Card. http://ufic.ufl.edu/TravelRegistration.html

Medex is not insurance but will help to get you out of the country in the event of SERIOUS health issues or death.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

·     Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?

·     Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

Please provide me with a copy of your passport photo page and your medex card for our travel file.  I will also want a copy of your air travel itinerary.

If you wish to get any shots, UF has a travel clinic and Centracare also has a travel clinic. When I traveled before and got Hepatitis shots, I was told UF covered faculty for shots so I did not have to pay.  Shhhhh.  Try it.

Additional travel information:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

Costa Rica Specific Information:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1093.html

SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Costa Rica, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip by enrolling in STEP. If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here’s the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/costa-rica.htm

Has info on shots and diseases.