Health Insurance Requirements
Maintaining your health is important. Health care in the U.S. is very expensive, which is one of the reasons why the Department of State mandates that all J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents must have specific terms of health insurance for their entire stay in the U.S. Not having the insurance, or willfully failing to maintain it, is a deportable offense.
- Before you arrive at SIUE, you are required to show proof of insurance for yourself and any accompanying family members. This proof must be in English.
- You must buy your insurance in advance so it is active when you first arrive in the United States.
What Immigration Requires
Here are the specific terms that J-1 scholars' insurance must meet or exceed:
- $100,000 of coverage per accident or illness (insurance should cover both emergency AND non-emergency illnesses and accidents)
- “Medical Evacuation” up to $50,000 (to cover transportation costs back to home country in the event of serious illness or injury)
- “Repatriation of Remains” up to $25,000 (to cover transportation costs back to home country in the event of death)
- Deductible of no more than $500
- Covers any pre-existing conditions after a reasonable waiting period
- Includes provision for co-payment that does not exceed 25% co-pay by the Exchange Visitor
- Does not exclude benefits for perils inherent to the activities of the Exchange Visitor’s program
- Must be underwritten by an insurance company that meets the rating requirements of the USIA or is backed by the full faith and credit of the Exchange Visitor’s government
Buying It
J-1 scholars coming to SIUE will receive information regarding the purchase of U.S. health insurance from their International Advisor. Please follow the instructions in this email. If you do not receive this information, contact the Office of International Affairs.
Scholars Employed by SIUE
Scholars hired by SIUE may be eligible to receive the University’s employee Insurance. For more information, please contact your Human Resources representative.
Please be aware that the University’s employee health insurance does not meet all of the immigration requirements. J-1s who are hired by SIUE and choose to use SIUE employee health insurance must also purchase an insurance policy that offers Repatriation of Remains and Medical Evacuation. Normally, this kind of plan is not expensive and your International Advisor can offer suggestions.
