What if a student gets sick on program?
Close Up partners with several leading health care providers, including Georgetown University Children’s Medical Center (GUCMC) to ensure that students have access to quality health care should they get sick while on program.
911 emergency service is available around the clock -- from when our program starts until it ends. Fortunately, our program activities and the hotels students stay in at night are close to a number of excellent hospitals. Thus, help is usually not far away.
For a non-911 situation, typically we will be in contact with a triage nurse at GUCMC to determine what course of action to take. In some cases, we will transport the student to GUCMC for diagnosis and treatment. Its hours are Mon-Thur, 8 AM-7 PM, Friday 8 AM-6M and Saturday 9 AM to noon. If treatment is required outside these hours, GUCMC maintains a pediatric doctor on-call who will assist and make appropriate referrals. In the more serious cases, the student might be referred and transported to a specific medical facility for diagnosis and treatments. In others, a student might simply drink fluids and rest in her or his hotel room under the periodic supervision of Close Up staff.
As added precautions, Close Up program staff are trained in CPR, AED and First Aid. We also maintain a dedicated staffer on each program to assist students who are ill. Typically, this assistance includes accompanying them when they’re taken for medical treatment, waiting with them at the facility while they’re being treated, and accompanying them back to the hotel as well.
Getting is sick is rarely a fun experience. However, Close Up, its teachers whose students are here on program, and its health care partners work together as a team to ensure that students get timely access to quality heath care should the need arise while on program.
What are Georgetown University Children’s Medical Center office hours?
- Monday through Thursday: 8am to 7 pm EST,
- Friday: 8am to 6pm EST,
- Saturday 9am to noon EST.
Does Close Up staff receive any training?
Yes. Our program staff is trained in CPR, AED and First Aid.
Do I need to bring any paperwork with me to DC?
Yes. You must bring to Washington: 1) a completed Medical Questionnaire Form, 2) a signed Consent for Treatment Form, and 3) your Health Insurance card or a copy of the front and back.
Should I bring my own prescription medicine?
Yes. You need to bring an adequate supply of medication and will self-medicate while on program. You need to notify us in advance of all medication that needs to be refrigerated and agree to pay additional charges of up to $60 for refrigerator use or rental.
Should I bring my own over the counter medicine (OTC)?
Yes. You need to bring an adequate supply of medication and will self-medicate while on program. We are not able to provide participants with medications.
Will Close Up’s secondary insurance cover medical bills?
You can apply for reimbursement through Close Up’s secondary insurance after using any travel insurance benefit and your primary insurance. Just like many other insurance policies, our secondary insurance has a $100 deductible for which participants are liable if they use this insurance while on program.
Will my child/student have to pay a co-pay for visits?
The amount of the co-pay depends on your primary insurance carrier. If your child/student doesn’t have money for the co-pay at time of service, Georgetown will bill the responsible party.
How will I get to Georgetown Children’s Medical Center?
Our dedicated staff member will accompany, wait with any ill student during their appointment and return with them back to the hotel or program.
What if I don’t have insurance?
We recommend that all participants purchase travel insurance that has medical coverage. To purchase travel insurance or for more info, contact Travel Guard or call 800-826-1300. Our secondary insurance may also reimburse any paid, qualified expenses after the deductible.
Will there be anyone in the hotel if a child/student is ill?
Yes, We have dedicated staff members to stay with any students that are not able to participate on program.
Should I buy travel insurance?
Yes. We strongly recommend you and your students purchase travel insurance to protect your trip from the unexpected such as flight delays/cancellations, illness and bad weather. To purchase travel insurance or for more information, contact Travel Guard or call 800-826-1300.
What if adults get sick on program?
911-type emergencies will be handled as such. For nonemergencies, a number of excellent community and urgent care facilities are available and we will work with you to coordinate your access to one of these should the need arise while you’re on program.