Mandatory Insurance
All J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents are required by the federal government to maintain qualified health insurance coverage for the entire duration of their stay in the U.S. 91¶ÌÊÓƵ requires that all 91¶ÌÊÓƵ sponsored J-1 Scholars, and their J-2 dependents, provide documentation of sufficient insurance. It is the personal responsibility of all J-1 Scholars to ensure they are in compliance with state, federal, and University rules regarding insurance coverage.
Insurance Minimum Requirements
The insurance coverage must provide the following minimum coverage:
- Minimum medical benefit of $100,000 per person per accident or illness;
- Deductible that does not exceed $500 per accident or illness;
- Minimum repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;
- Minimum medical evacuation expenses in the amount of $50,000; and
- Co-insurance paid by J-1 not to exceed 25% of covered benefits per accident or illness.
Insurance policies:
- May require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions that is reasonable as determined by current industry standards; and
- Must not unreasonably exclude coverage for the perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which you participate.
Any policy, plan, or contract secured to fill the J Visa insurance requirements must at minimum be:
- Underwritten by an insurance corporation having:
- An A.M. Best rating of “A-“ or above; or
- A McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor Claims-paying Ability rating of “A-“ or above; or
- A Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B+” or above; or
- A Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of “A-“ or above; or
- A Moody’s Investor Services rating of “A3” or above; or
- Be backed by the full faith and credit of the exchange visitor’s home country; or
- Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor; or
- Offered through or underwritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization or eligible Competitive Medical Plan as determined by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.