International Benefits
Faculty and staff serving in international locations can find detailed information about their benefits in the 2025 International Benefits Guide (2024 Interactive | 2024 PDF).
You can log in to GMS to view your benefit current elections, update 403(b) retirement contributions, designate beneficiaries and much more.
Considering retirement? View the Retiree Guide for International Employees (2025 | 2024)
Georgetown University – Qatar
Georgetown University is pleased to offer its employees at GU-Q a comprehensive benefits package.
Benefits At-a-Glance (2025)
- Cigna Global Health (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, long term disability)
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- International Employee Assistance Program
- Salary Continuance
- Basic Life Insurance $50,000 | Basic AD&D Insurance $50,000
- Additional Life Insurance
- International SOS
- Tuition Assistance for Employee and Eligible Children
- Defined Contribution Retirement Plan*
- Voluntary Contribution Retirement Plan
*There is no phased waiting period for those GU-Q faculty and staff who are eligible for the DCRP.
Cigna Global Health Benefits
Georgetown University provides medical, pharmacy, dental, vision and long term disability coverage through Cigna Global Health Benefits while you are working on the GU-Q campus in Doha, Qatar. GU-Q faculty and staff experience greater ease of claim processing and increased access to hospitals and clinics in the region through CIGNALinks…Middle East.
Welcome
- Cigna Global Health Benefits: ExPat Welcome Kit, Your Cigna Journey 2025
- CignaLinks Middle East Welcome Letter
Cigna Global Health Plan Summaries
- International Plan (US Emergency care only) 2025
Includes medical, prescription, dental, vision and long term disability plan summaries - Global Plan (Worldwide coverage) 2025
Includes medical, prescription, dental, vision and long term disability plan summaries
Using Your Plan
- How to connect
- Cigna Envoy Mobile App
- Online Claim Submission
- Global Telehealth through the Cigna Wellbeing App
Visit www.cignaenvoy.com for an up-to-date listing of providers.
Medical and Prescription Drug Premium Contributions
The Qatar Foundation covers the full monthly premium cost of Medical and Prescription Drug coverage. No employee premium contribution is required.
Forms
- Cigna Claim Form
- Cigna EFT Enrollment Form
- Request for Continuation of Coverage for Handicapped Child
Submitting a Claim for Reimbursement
You are encouraged to submit any claims for reimbursement through the CignaEnvoy website. This is the most secure method. You may also download a claim form (above) and submit through fax or mail.
Guarantee of Payment
A Guarantee of Payment (GOP) assures payment directly to a health care provider outside the United States for covered authorized medical services. This helps prevent you from having to pay upfront for services that would normally be covered under your plan.
Georgetown University provides you access to dental coverage through Cigna Global Health Benefits while you are employed through the GU-Q campus in Doha. Employee pre-tax premium contributions are required. Dental coverage can only be changed during open enrollment, or as a result of a qualifying family status change.
Cigna Dental network discounts are available for our members in the U.S. with Cigna Dental coverage.
Dental Insurance Rates for 2025
|
Coverage Level |
You Pay |
University |
Total |
| Employee Only |
$34.08 |
$5.19 |
$39.27 |
| Employee + Spouse/LDA |
$96.90 |
$5.19 |
$102.09 |
| Employee + Child/ren |
$77.27 |
$5.19 |
$82.46 |
| Family |
$162.41 |
$5.19 |
$167.60 |
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
FSAs allow employees to set aside money (pre-tax) to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses. You must enroll, or re-enroll, in FSAs each year. The enrollment period coincides with Open Enrollment typically held each Fall.
FSAs for Georgetown University faculty and staff are administered by Optum. For more information on FSAs, click here.
International Employee Assistance Program (IEAP)
Georgetown University has contracted with Cigna Global Health Benefits and Work Place Options to provide GU-Q faculty and staff with access to services designed to assist with a variety of professional and personal concerns. Additionally, spouses and dependents who reside with you in the same household are also covered under this program. No employee premium contributions are required and you need not be covered by the medical plan to access assistance.
This program provides:
- Telephonic counseling (unlimited)
- Six face-to-face visits with professional counselor
- Additional work/life support benefits, as needed
You may contact Work Place Options for information and/or 24/7 telephonic counseling services by calling:
+44 208 987 6230 (Reverse charges accepted)
1 877 857 2952 (When calling from U.S.)
You may also access this benefit through www.CIGNAenvoy.com or reach out to gloableap@workplaceoptions.com.
Salary Continuance
Salary continuance begins after an eligible employee is unable to work due to illness or injury. The Plan pays 100% of monthly earnings. Staff and AAPs must satisfy a 5-day waiting period before becoming eligible to receive benefits. During the waiting period employees may use PTO or unpaid leave. Paid benefits begin on the 6th work day and continue until:
- You are no longer disabled;
- You reach the “recovery limit” for your type of disability; or
- You reach the Maximum Allowable benefit period of 90 days.
No employee contributions are required for this benefit.
Long Term Disability Insurance
Cigna long term disability insurance provides income protection if you are disabled due to injury or sickness. Employees pay the full cost of this coverage on an after-tax basis.
|
Plan Feature
|
Plan Pays |
| Monthly Benefit |
60% of base monthly salary, up to $15,000 |
| Elimination Period |
90 days |
| Mental Illness Limit |
24 months |
| Maternity Benefit |
Full coverage |
| Pre-existing Exclusion |
12/6/24: Any condition diagnosed or treated in the 12 months prior to your effective date will not be covered unless you have been without treatment for six consecutive months after that date. In this case, the remainder of the pre-existing condition period, defined as 24 months, will be waived. |
How Your LTD Cost is Calculated
Employees pay the full cost of this coverage on an after-tax basis. Your cost is equal to $0.69 per $100 of covered monthly salary. The example below assumes an annual salary of $55,000 or monthly salary of $4,583.33.
| A. Covered Monthly Salary |
|
$4,583.33 |
| B. Per $100 of Covered Monthly Salary |
Line A divided by 100 = |
$45.83 |
| C. Premium Rate |
|
$0.69 |
| D. Your Monthly Cost |
Line B x |
$31.62 |
Forms:
Cigna Global Health Benefits LTD Claim Form
Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
Life insurance can provide security for your beneficiaries in the event of your death or terminal illness. Enrollment for Basic Life and AD&D is automatic. No employee contributions are required for this benefit.
Basic Life Insurance coverage is equal to a benefit of $50,000 through MetLife Insurance Company.
Basic AD&D Insurance coverage also provides a $50,000 benefit. This benefit is payable in the event of death or significant loss due to an accident. Examples of significant loss include loss of sight and dismemberment.
Additional Life Insurance Options
You may elect or increase your supplemental life, voluntary AD&D and dependent life coverage during Open Enrollment through Georgetown Management System (GMS). Your elections will take effect the following January.
MetLife is the life insurance carrier for Georgetown University. Life and accident insurance can provide financial security for your beneficiaries in the event of your terminal illness or death. Georgetown University provides a Basic Life Insurance benefit of $50,000 for eligible faculty and staff. The Supplemental Life Insurance Plan is a voluntary, employee-paid group term life insurance plan in which you can choose to participate to supplement your Georgetown-provided life insurance. Enhanced features offered by MetLife include free will preparation service.
Georgetown University provides a Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit of $50,000 for eligible faculty and staff. You may choose to purchase additional AD&D coverage for yourself and your family through MetLife. Voluntary AD&D pays benefits in the event of death due to accident, but also pays in the event of a covered disabling injury. The proceeds from the AD&D coverage can help replace lost income and lessen the impact of costs associated with serious injuries, including medical bills, physical therapy, psychological counseling, safety upgrades to a home or car, and more.
The Dependent Life Insurance Plan is a voluntary, employee-paid group term life insurance plan in which you can elect coverage for your eligible dependents.
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Georgetown University offers tuition benefits to employees and their children through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Please click here to learn more.