Travel Tips for KUMC Faculty and Staff

The following information is for KUMC faculty and staff who are planning to travel abroad. Please note that these steps must be followed without regard to funding source. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of International Programs by calling 8-1480.

Inital Requests

Submit travel requests to Travel Audit. For specific questions call 8-5348.

Immunizations

Current information from the CDC can be used to decide which immunizations will be needed for overseas travel. This information can be accessed on the CDC Travel Information web page.

The Department of Occupational Health & Environmental Medicine is the designated clinic to serve as a reference and provider of services for employees traveling overseas. State employees traveling on company business (paid time) can contact the clinic four weeks prior to travel at 8-6512.

Employees traveling on personal business (vacation time) can contact the clinic four weeks prior to travel at 8-6512. Employees not traveling on company business will be responsible for the cost of services.

The following immunizations are available in Occupational Health.

• Tetanus
• Havrix -Hepatitis A
• Mefloquine - Malaria
• Oral Typhoid
• Menommume - Meningococcal Disease

Special Note: The Yellow Fever vaccination is not available through Occupational Health. Persons requiring this vaccine must go to a County Health Department. A special stamp is needed for entry into countries specifically requiring this vaccine. These stamps can only be obtained at a County Health Department.

Staying Healthy

Once you arrive, allow yourself time to acclimate to the weather, lifestyle, and food. Do not think you have to eat all the food that is offered. Eat well-cooked food, peeled, and/or properly treated (with iodine) fruits and vegetables. Avoid drinking unsafe water and using ice cubes. Bottled soft drinks and brewed coffee or tea are usually safe.

A large number of serious injuries overseas are related to traffic accidents. You should always be acutely aware of safety considerations while traveling by public or private transportation, as well as while walking. In countries where traffic moves on the left side, unaccustomed pedestrians often neglect to look both ways when crossing streets.

Workers’ Compensation and Overseas Travel

Employees traveling overseas for KUMC business must submit a travel request to Travel Audit and are covered by Workers Compensation Benefits if a work-related injury or illness should occur.

To establish Workers’ Compensation Benefits:

• Contact the Department of Occupational Health & Environmental Medicine (OHEM) at (913) 588-2714 immediately. Employees have 10 days to report a work-related injury.
• The State of Kansas requires the employer to complete Form 1101-A , the Employer’s Report of Accident, within 200 days of the incident.
• The employee has 200 days from the incident date to initiate medical care.

Medical Insurance

Be sure to contact your insurance company to verify that your health insurance travels with you. Medical evacuation and repatriation insurance is provided for all faculty and staff traveling abroad for business.  Please contact Judith Reagan in the Office of International Programs for the particulars and to obtain an insurance card.