Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE)

As U.S. Department of State exchange participants, grantees receive a limited health care benefits plan designed by the Department and administered by Seven Corners, Inc. This plan is NOT an insurance policy. The Accident and Sickness Program for Exchange, or ASPE, is a self-funded, limited, health care benefit plan designed to pay covered medical expenses for Fulbright grantees. Covered medical expenses are subject to limitations. Grantees can review ASPE coverage here:https://aspe.imglobal.com/my-benefits/aspe-guidebook

Though not required, it is strongly recommended that grantees have or purchase comprehensive health insurance with international coverage during the program. 

ASPE coverage is provided to the grantee only and is secondary to any other coverage grantees may have. Grantees will need to determine the adequacy of other coverage retained during the grant period and arrange for any supplemental insurance coverage, short-term coverage if out of the host country or dependent coverage. Grantees may also want to view the U.S. Department of State’s link on insurance coverage while traveling abroad.

Contacting ASPE

International Medical Group
Attn: ASPE
P.O. Box 21605
Eagan, MN 55121, USA 

Email: ASPEcare@imglobal.com
To contact Customer Service from outside the US 24/7/365 call collect at +1.463.276.5286. You will need assistance from the local operator to make this free call.

If unable to access the ASPE account during a first attempt to log in, reach out to the Commission point-of-contact for Commission grantees. For Post grantees, reach out to your IIE advisor.

Coverage Under ASPE
  • Begins with departure from the United States to the host country.
  • Is valid through the grant end date and during the final trip home via the most direct route upon grant completion.
  • Is suspended while outside of the host country for academic, professional, or personal reasons. Therefore, if traveling outside the host country, grantees may want to purchase traveler's insurance.
  • Review details of coverage at https://aspe.imglobal.com/my-benefits/aspe-guidebook 
  • The MyIMG ID is the PS00XXXXXX participant ID found on the IIE Participant Portal.
ASPE Compass Services

ASPE provides access to a mental health consultant and referral services hotline. ASPE Compass is a benefit extended to all Department of State Exchange participants during their grants, including those on the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. ASPE Assist is designed to augment the health benefits that are concurrently provided through ASPE. ASPE Compass is operated by TELUS Health, in partnership with International Medical Group (IMG).

ASPE Compass Services

  • Mental health advice
  • Mental health crisis support
  • Sexual assault response
  • Violent crime response
  • Providing advice to grantees when they feel at risk or vulnerable

ASPE Compass is accessible 24 hours a day and is available to provide support to grantees, in urgent and non-urgent situations, including identification and referral of mental health conditions requiring in-person or Telemedicine treatment, and crisis intervention. The medical staff responding to grantee calls are trained to handle serious situations such as sexual assaults and mental health crises. They can also provide medical advice. 

ASPE Compass Is Provided Through Telemedicine

  • Lifetime Maximum benefit is six (6) sessions and must be provided by TELUS Health 
  • Any additional sessions require medical recommendation from TELUS Health, in conjunction with IMG and current ASPE benefits (see ASPE Guidebook)

$25 Copay For Each Office Visit/Telemedicine Consultation

  •  First six (6) TELUS Health sessions do not incur a copay
  • Co-pays incurred beyond six sessions are billed by IMG to the participant at end of their treatment / prior to the end of their program, not to exceed the plan’s co-pay maximum of $500 per benefit year

ASPE Compass Contact Information

Phone: +1-855-302-9087
Email: ASPEcare@imglobal.com

When contacting ASPE Compass for the first time, please be prepared to provide your full name and date of birth, ID card number, program name (Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program) and host country. This information will allow TELUS Health staff to verify your status as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar with the ASPE Health Benefits Plan.

If grantees are unable to call the ASPE Compass line directly and need to have the ASPE Compass team contact you, please email ASPEcare@imglobal.com with your name, date of birth, ID card number, program name (Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program) and host country and indicate that you need to connect with ASPE Compass/TELUS Health. Make sure to provide them with your complete international phone number, including relevant country codes and area codes.

The information provided by you to TELUS Health in the event of an illness, emergency or other personal crisis is considered private. However, it may be responsibly shared within the program, including IMG, in their efforts to assist and support you.

Any questions not related to mental health support services – including benefits, claims, coverage – should be directed to IMG's Customer Service for assistance. IMG and the U.S. Department of State disclaim any and all liability for ASPE Compass, TELUS Health or other third-party services.