Arrange Medical Clearance and Immunizations

MEDICAL CLEARANCE

The employee and all family members traveling on the employee’s orders must receive medical clearance prior to proceeding to post. Medical clearance examinations for adults and children over six are given in the Office of Medical Services (MED) (SA-1, Room L201, Columbia Plaza) and require the morning of day one and several hours on day three for completion. Appointments are required and should be made as far in advance as possible. Authorizations are provided for examinations of children under six should be scheduled with a private health care provider.

For further information about medical clearances, please call 703-875-5411 or e-mail Med Clearances Washington on the DOS global directory or medclearances@state.gov. Failure to obtain proper medical clearance disqualifies a person from participating in the Department's Medical Program, including medical evacuation coverage, hospitalization coverage, and health unit access at post.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Required and recommended immunizations for overseas travel can be obtained at the Health Unit at SA-1, Columbia Plaza, Room L201. Immunizations can also be obtained at the health units at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington (Room E1111), or, for employees only, at SA-44 (formerly the USIA building) at 301 4th Street, SW, Room M18. Be sure to allow time for spacing the immunizations, as a complete initial immunization series may require about five weeks.

Children should be current on routine immunizations from their private health care providers. Immunizations required or recommended for overseas posts may be obtained at SA-1 or the Shultz Center.

When necessary, adults residing more than 50 miles away may obtain immunizations from private providers. If authorized, the Department of State will reimburse the full cost of recommended immunizations performed by private providers for adults and children. Note: These payments are made only for immunizations recommended for overseas service, such as yellow fever, and NOT for routine immunizations such as polio.

OVERSEAS HEALTH COVERAGE

Medical Insurance

Make sure you have adequate medical insurance for you and your family. The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) provides you and your family with protection against the cost of illness or accident at reduced costs. When assigned overseas, you may choose one of the fee-for-service health benefits plans. Visit http://www.opm.gov/insure/ for more information.

After medical insurance has paid, the State Department will pay any uncovered charges for overseas hospitalizations. Overseas hospitalizations are not covered by the Department for those persons at post without medical insurance. The State Department's medical program does not pay for outpatient medical or dental care. Also, it does not cover medical problems which arise on home leave or while assigned to the United States. Furthermore, the State Department medical program does not cover relatives or friends visiting you at post. Relatives and friends should obtain health and evacuation insurance before traveling overseas. See the State Department Travel website or e-mail OBC for a list of providers. Please note that Medicare does not normally pay for overseas medical care.

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