Visiting scholars are required by the U.S. State Department to purchase medical insurance for themselves and any accompanying dependents. According to 22 CFR 62.14, all J-1 and J-2 Exchange Visitors are required to have and maintain health insurance that meets Department of State’s requirements. A summary of these insurance requirements is as follows:
- Major medical benefits must be at least $100,000 for each accident or illness.
- Repatriation of remains benefit must be at least $25,000.
- Medical evacuation benefit must be at least $50,000.
- The deductible for each accident or illness may not exceed $500.
- Policy may not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program.
* Insurance documents must be in English and US Dollars
*If you have insurance from your home country: The Department of State’s language regarding insurance from home is quite vague: “The policy must be backed by the full faith and credit of your home country government”. This means that your home country insurance must fully cover all your health needs while you are in the United States. Most would not, so you should check this prior to your arrival.
Please note that U.S. government subsidized insurance cannot be used for the waiver.
