Insurance Coverage

Medical

Volunteers in BVS are provided medical coverage beginning the first day of orientation. This is a standard medical plan and is set up in such a way that the volunteer will not be expected to pay most medical costs.

The medical plan for volunteers serving in the United States and on international assignments provides a maximum benefit of $50,000 per cause. It also covers medical evacuation and repatriation for those serving internationally. Please note that BVS will not be responsible for medical costs beyond maximum benefits allowed, in this case $50,000.

Special notes about the plan are as follows:

• The volunteer will be given detailed information about the plan while at orientation, and will receive a medical insurance card and more information after arriving at project.
• Projects have the option to place the volunteer on a medical plan provided by the project. BVS will work with the project to ensure that the medical plan provides adequate coverage.
• If you are currently covered under a family or independent medical plan you may want to consider continuing that coverage if possible. Volunteers who maintain their own medical coverage will be responsible for all medical costs.
• If the volunteer has other coverage such as Medicare, a family plan, or a retirement medical plan, enrollment in the BVS medical plan is optional. The BVS plan is secondary to any other plan in which a volunteer is enrolled.
• The volunteer will be responsible for medical expenses that are not covered under the medical plan. Note: any expenses over the $50,000 per benefit maximum are the responsibility of the volunteer.
• Volunteers will be covered through the end of the month of their end of service date. The medical plan is available for purchase after your term of service. 
• Volunteers may want to consider an additional medical plan with coverage higher than $50,000 and a high deductible. Any expenses for an additional plan are the responsibility of the volunteer.

Dental

Limited dental and optical coverage will be provided for each volunteer, regardless of enrollment in the BVS medical plan. BVS will pay 50% of any dental and optical needs up to $100, per volunteer year. (Example: if optical costs are $150, BVS pays $75; if optical costs are $250, BVS pays $100). BVS will pay up to $100 for dental and $100 for optical expenses per service year.