What to do if your student is ill and needs medical attention
When there is a question about medical care for a participant, you may call GMMI toll-free at 1-888-444-7773. (If calling from outside the US, the number is 1-954-370-6468.)
You can also reach out to GMMI at email customerservice@gmmi.com.
GMMI can answer questions about coverage, locate medical providers, and monitor medical cases with on-staff doctors and nurses. They provide 24/7 emergency medical assistance to AFS worldwide.
Ideally, you will take your participant to a medical provider who is part of the First Health Network (GMMI is also a member of this Network). HOWEVER, you may take your participant to any doctor, including your own family physician or pediatrician.
If you use a doctor from the First Health Network, GMMI can take advantage of this network to control medical expenses. Not only do these providers agree to charge at reduced costs, but also they can typically bill GMMI directly for the care.
Ask GMMI to help you find a provider in-network, or you can search at:
https://www.gmmi.com/cost-containment/client-member-page
For in-person visits, bring the participant’s Medical ID card to the doctor’s office. It can help them to process the coverage and activate benefits through the First Health network, which is the preferred network for AFS.
If a doctor’s office tells you that they do not know the AFS coverage, ask them to call GMMI. One of GMMI’s jobs is to verify the coverage to medical providers. You will find a full description of coverage for accidents and illness in the AFS Medical Pamphlet.
Note that the Medical Plan is designed to address emergency medical needs that arise while on program. Emergency care is for sudden and unexpected medical needs that must be addressed immediately, not routine, or anticipated care.
Finding a Medical Provider
Families can use the GMMI portal to find providers. Go to https://www.gmmi.com/ and click on “Secured Access” in the blue line at the top right.
Click on the “member log-in” button. Use username “AFS” and password “AFS” to get to the AFS Member Page. This will give you the option to search medical networks, including urgent care. Hit the First Health Provider Search button first to find a provider who is in-network. At the medical appointment, inform the provider that the participant is part of the First Health Network.
Choose the GMMI network for a general listing of medical providers, if the First Health network selection does not produce the desired results.
GMMI asks that you inform them as soon as possible of any ER or hospital visits so that they may reach out regarding billing.
Prescription Drugs
The cost of drugs prescribed by the in-person or telemedicine provider is covered, however only through reimbursement. Please see Submitting Claims and Using the GMMI Portal for information on the reimbursement process.
Telemedicine Option
A surprising amount of medical care can be provided by telemedicine, which does not require an in-person visit. Telemedicine can address a large number of the reasons AFS participants go to the doctor, such as for care of allergies/ cold & flu/ respiratory infections/ urinary tract infections/ laryngitis/ gastroenteritis/ ear infections/ sinusitis/ sprains & strains/ pinkeye. The telemedicine provider can prescribe medications too.
Ask GMMI if telemedicine is an option in your case. If so, GMMI can connect you swiftly with their telemedicine service, which typically can have a medical practitioner on the phone with the participant within a half-hour – GMMI will set up this telemedicine visit for you. If telemedicine is not an option, GMMI, will help you locate an in-person practitioner.