Medical Insurance
The U.S. Department of State (USDOS), who administers the J Exchange Visitor program, requires that each exchange visitor and his/her J-2 dependents maintain insurance coverage for the full duration of their J program in the U.S. The required health insurance is explained below . Full explanation of the health insurance can be found at Code of Federal Regulations, Title 22, Volume 1, 22 CFR 62. 14, Page 287-288.
Sponsors shall require each exchange visitor to have insurance in effect which covers the exchange visitor for sickness or accident during the period of time that an exchange visitor participates in the sponsor’s exchange visitor program. Minimum coverage shall provide:
- Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness;
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500;
- Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000; and
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
A J-2 accompanying spouse or dependent of a J-1 is required to be covered by insurance in the same amounts.
An insurance policy secured to fulfill the requirements of this section:
- May require awaiting period for pre-existing conditions which is reasonable as determined by current industry standards;
- May include provision for co-insurance under the terms of which the exchange visitor may be required to pay up to 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness; and
- Shall not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which the exchange visitor participates.
Any policy, plan, or contract secured to fill the above requirements must, at a minimum, be:
- Under written by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of “A-“or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-I”' or above, a Standard & Poor’s Claims-paying Ability rating of “A-“or above, a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above, or such other rating as the Department of State may from time to time specify; or
- Backed by the full faith and credit of the government 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 under w ritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or eligible Competitive Medical Plan (CMP) as determined by the Health Care Financing Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Please note an exchange visitor who willfully fails to maintain the required insurance coverage while participating in an exchange visitor program or w ho makes a material misrepresentation to the sponsor concerning such coverage shall be deemed to be in violation of these regulations and shall be subject to termination as a participant.
A sponsor shall terminate an exchange visitor’s participation in its program if the sponsor determines that the exchange visitor or any accompanying spouse or dependent willfully fails to remain in compliance with the health insurance coverage requirement.
J exchange visitors under the sponsorship of Washington State University’s (WSU) Exchange Visitor Program must complete and the form “ Statement of Compliance” and return it to our office in 108 Bryan Hall at the orientation/immigration clearance session (for beginning a new J program at WSU). It is not necessary to purchase a health insurance plan w hen you are applying for the J-1 visa in your home country. However, you must show proof of required health insurance plan coverage w ithin 2 – 4 w eeks after you arrive at WSU. You can contact the International Scholar Advisor for information about insurance plans that are available for purchase in the U.S.
Page Updated: December 18, 2007
