Insurance

J-1 Exchange Visitors are required to have insurance in effect which covers them for sickness or accident during the period of time that they participate in the Exchange Visitor program. Insurance coverage must meet the minimums set by the United States Department of State. If family members are accompanying the Exchange Visitor, they are also required to be covered by insurance in the same amounts as long as they are in the United States.  The program sponsor must terminate students from the Exchange Visitor program if they or one of their dependents willfully fails to meet these requirements.

The Minimum Coverage is as Follows

  1. Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness with:
    1. A deductible not greater than $500 per accident or illness. 
    2. A co-payment not greater than 25%
    3. A waiting period for pre-existing conditions that is reasonable by the current industry standards.
  2. Repatriation of remains in the amount of at least $25,000
  3. Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor and/or dependents to the home country in the amount of at least $50,000
  4. The policy must be underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above, a McGraw Hill Financial/Standard and Poor's Claims-paying Ability rating of "A" or above, a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above, a Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of “A-“ or above, a Moody’s Investor Services rating of “A3” or above, or such other rating service as the Department of State may from time to time specify.