J-1 Scholar Health Insurance
The U.S. Department of State and the Exchange Visitor Program requires that all persons in J-1 or J-2 status have health insurance that meets the following minimum requirements:
- medical benefits of at least $100,000 per person per accident or illness
- repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
- expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of $50,000
- does not have a deductible that exceeds $500 per accident or illness
J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors must maintain the health insurance during the entire duration of their program. Exchange visitors and their dependents may also be subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. Persons who willfully fail to maintain coverage are subject to termination from the program.
Visiting Scholar/Professor Insurance
Any J-1 Scholar who receives health insurance through the University of Mississippi Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan must purchase separate insurance coverage. In addition, any J-1 Scholar whose funding is from personal funds or a source other than the University will need to purchase health insurance that meets the minimum requirements. The health insurance plan used by University of Mississippi students and scholars may be purchased upon arrival for both themselves and any J-2 dependents.
The University of Mississippi has partnered with UnitedHealthCare to offer health insurance to J-1 Exchange Visitors and their dependents.
The minimum coverage period is one month (and partial month coverage is not an option).
Important Links for the UHC plan:
Requesting Coverage
If you would like to sign up for the University-affiliated UHC plan, click here and submit the Enrollment Form. Once ISSS has verified your eligibility, you will receive an email with additional details and instructions on how to make your payment. You can enroll your dependents at the same time as you are completing your application.
Taking Classes and your Health Insurance
It is important for anyone in J-status who is taking classes to make sure that they are being billed properly for their health insurance during the first week of each semester. Also, J-1 Scholars and Professors who are taking classes for benefits will be billed for health insurance just like any other student, even if they have health insurance through Human Resources. It is possible to remove charges for student health insurance for full-time employees such as J-1 Scholars and Researchers, but someone seeking to remove the student health insurance charge must follow the International Student and Scholar Services waiver application process.
Other Insurance Companies/Plans
Here are some sample insurance companies with plans that meet the Department of State requirements for insurance. Please note that not all plans meet the DOS requirements and you will need to check to ensure that all requirements are met prior to purchase.
- isoa.org
- Plans
- J-1 Exchange Plan or J-1 Superior Plan
- 3 month minimum coverage period
- Plans
- inext.com
- Plans
- Global Adventure Plan or Global Adventure Plus
- 1 month minimum coverage period
- Plans
- sevencorners.com
- Plans are customizable
- Plan must not have a deductible that exceeds $500
- Must select coverage of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- The default selection is $50,000 so it must be changed
- No minimum coverage period
- Plans are customizable
- isa.intlinsure.com (this one is frequently the least expensive monthly rate)
- Plans
- Global Care Savings, Global Care Essential, Global Care Basic, Global Care Plus
- For Global Care Plus, you must select a deductible that does not exceed $500
- Global Care Savings, Global Care Essential, Global Care Basic, Global Care Plus
- 3 month minimum coverage period
- Plans
- internationalstudentinsurance.com
- Plans
- Patriot Standard, Patriot Platinum, Atlas Travel American
- For each plan, you must select a deductible that does not exceed $500
- For each plan, you must select a coverage of at least $100,000
No minimum coverage period
- Patriot Standard, Patriot Platinum, Atlas Travel American
- Plans