All J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents are required to have and maintain a minimum amount of health insurance for the duration of the J program. This will be reviewed during check-in at the beginning of the J-1 program and updated insurance documentation must remain on file with the Office of International education that is compliant with J-1 regulations published by the US Department of State. Below you will find information about the minimum required level of health insurance and how you can meet it.
All J-1 visitors at ̽̽ will show proof of these requirements for themselves and any dependents in one of two ways:
- Proof of eligible ̽̽ insurance PLUS supplemental insurance to meet all J-1 requirements
- Proof of non-̽̽ insurance meeting all J-1 requirements
J-1 Minimum Insurance Requirements
The US Department of State requires that all J-1 exchange visitors and J-2 dependents have health insurance that includes all of the following:
| Item | Coverage Amount |
|---|---|
| Medical Benefits | At least $100,000 per accident or illness |
| Repatriation of Remains | At least $25,000 |
| Medical Evacuation Coverage | At least $50,000 |
| Deductible | No more than $500 per accident or illness |
Additionally, the selected insurance provider must have one of the following ratings: 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; or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B+” or above.
J-1 Exchange visitors with ̽̽'s Health Insurance
Some J-1 exchange visitors may elect to receive ̽̽ health insurance as a benefit of their employment at ̽̽ (such as a postdoctoral associate). ̽̽ has multiple health insurance plan options that employees may select. Some of these insurance plans meet the J-1 requirements for medical benefits and deductible, and some do not. No ̽̽ plan meets all of the federal requirements.
Please see the following chart for information about which ̽̽ plans meet J-1 requirements for medical benefits and deductible:
| Plan Name | Meets J-1 Requirements for Medical Benefits and Deductible? |
|---|---|
| PPO1 | Yes. Supplemental insurance required for repatriation of remains and emergency medical evacuation. |
| PPO2 | Yes for individuals only. Does not meet deductible requirement for employees with dependent(s) added to this insurance. Supplemental insurance required for repatriation of remains and emergency medical evacuation. |
| HDHP1 | No. Does not meet any J-1 requirements. |
| HDHP2 | No. Does not meet any J-1 requirements. |
No ̽̽ health insurance plan covers expenses related to repatriation and medical evacuation. Those with ̽̽ insurance plans that are partially compliant with the J-1 regulations must purchase a supplemental insurance to meet the repatriation of remains and emergency medical evacuation requirements. See the section below for companies that might offer this supplemental insurance. Travel insurance policies will often meet the repatriation of remains and medical evacuation requirements.
If you are appointed as a Visiting Scholar, ̽̽ Faculty Services has indicated that while not a common practice, it is possible for ̽̽ health insurance to be provided to a Visiting Scholar if a) the offer for health insurance is included in the Visiting Scholar's invitation letter approved by the Provost's Office; and b) the host department pays the costs of that insurance. Inquiries related to this may be directed to FacultyServices@uvm.edu. You would need to evidence your ̽̽ insurance at the point of check-in with our office if it was not mentioned in the original offer letter provided to us.
Purchasing Health and/or Supplemental Travel Insurance
All J-1 visitors will have to demonstrate proof of either a full insurance or a supplemental insurance covering themselves and any J-2 dependents. This section offers some help in identifying your plan.
What to look for in an Insurance Plan
If you do not have ̽̽ insurance and are privately purchasing insurance for your time in the US, we suggest that you consider the following as you identify a plan for yourself and any dependents, as relevant. Remember that health care in the US can be incredibly expensive and we want our visitors and their families to have a coverage that they will feel comfortable with as well as one that meets J-1 requirements.
- Does the insurance plan have a network that includes doctors in the Burlington area?
- Does the plan cover routine and preventative care for you and any dependents (such as physical exams, routine child vaccinations, etc)?
- Does the plan cover injuries caused through "extreme" sports like skiing, snowboarding, etc. if you will do such activities?
- Does the plan cover pre-existing conditions and is there a length for a waiting period before those benefits begin?
- Does the plan cover prescription medications?
- Does the plan cover oral contraception, pregnancy, childbirth, and maternal care?
Many insurance plans will not cover many of the items above, even if they meet J-1 requirements. Some insurance plans that are marketed to J-1 visitors are essentially travel insurance plans, which may be appropriate for shorter visits but not for living in the US long-term. It is important to read the "exclusions" section of insurance policies to better understand the terms and conditions.
Heath Insurance Companies
̽̽ cannot recommend a specific insurance company, and you may choose any insurance that meets the J-1 requirements listed above, whether on the list below or not. However, the following list includes ones that have been used by our visitors in the past. It is your responsibility entirely, however, to ensure the plan you select meets your needs. There are other companies as well, but we know it may be helpful to have some links. A simple internet search for "J-1 Health Insurance Plan" or "J-1 Health Insurance Repatriation of Remains and Medication Evacuation Plan" may also offer you options not listed here.