ADS Chapter 496: FSN Health and Accident Coverage (HAC)

or a third country for training or other official business. This coverage is referred to as FSN HAC and is provided by USAID Missions in accordance with the terms stated in STATE 00328740 or subsequent cables and this ADS Chapter. The Mission Executive Officer (EXO) or designated representative is responsible for ensuring that all FSNs who are scheduled to travel to the U.S. or to a third country on official business are enrolled in a HAC plan. This includes determining whether a medical examination to identify pre-existing conditions is necessary for FSN travelers and, if so, ensuring that the travelers undergo the medical examination prior to requesting enrollment in a HAC plan. The EXO or designated representative must also advise FSNs of the terms, conditions, and exclusions of the HAC policy in which they are enrolled and the FSNs' responsibilities regarding the insurance prior to their travel to the U.S. or to a third country on official business. FSNs are responsible for advising the Mission EXO or designated representative of their prospective official travel to the U.S. or to a third country and following Mission procedures for a pre-travel medical examination, if one is required per Mission policy. They must also inform the Mission EXO or designated representative of any known pre-existing medical conditions that could present during travel and prepare requests for insurance enrollment in accordance with this chapter's guidelines and submit such requests to the EXO for review, approval, and processing. The Office of Overseas Human Capital Initiatives (OHCI) in the Office of Human Capital and Talent Management (HCTM) is responsible for providing guidance on FSN HAC requirements and options and responding to questions in regard to HAC for FSNs. FSNs are generally provided health care benefits through a host country's medical coverage and/or the employing Mission's Local Compensation Plan (LCP). However, these benefits may not be adequate coverage for official travel outside the host country. Mission EXOs or designated representatives must purchase HAC for FSNs on official travel outside of the host country when one of the following conditions exist: the LCP and/or host country's medical plan does not provide medical or accident coverage for travel outside the host country, or local medical plans have a relatively low cap on payments compared to medical costs of the country to which the individual will be traveling. Coverage under FSN HAC generally begins at 12:01 a.m. on the start date of coverage on the enrollment request and ends at 11:59 p.m. on the end date of coverage on the enrollment request. Missions must show the FSN's departure date from his/her home country (or country of regular domicile) as the insurance effective date and add one day onto the FSN's scheduled arrival date in his/her home country (or country of regular domicile) to allow for coverage in transit and when flight delays occur. Missions must not authorize expectant FSNs to travel unless their return to the home country will be completed by the end of the second trimester of the pregnancy (or earlier if medical authorities indicate such). Work-related accidents and illnesses and associated medical costs are covered under the Workers' Compensation Program (OWCP) of the Department of Labor and not under FSN HAC plans. HAC providers normally do not cover expenses due to pre-existing conditions, and Missions desiring to send an FSN who has a pre-existing condition(s) on official travel will assume full liability for unreimbursed medical costs arising from such a condition(s) during the period of official travel.