RICE WORLD J Visa Health Insurance Requirement: Are you covered from “Entry to Exit”? By Agnes Vajtai When exchange visitors on a J visa arrive to the US they need to purchase health insurance that meets certain minimum standards. This is an immigration requirement independent of the person’s actual physical condition or individual needs, and intends to make sure exchange visitors will have sufficient coverage and will not be left with huge medical bills in case they need any services in the US. The regulation also specifies that the plan should cover the persons from the formal start date of his/her research to the formal end date. However, since visitors can and most of the time do spend time in the US before and/or after the formal program dates, the Department of State (DOS) suggests purchasing a plan which covers not only the obligatory dates but to have “entry to exit” insurance coverage which would provide protection from the time the exchange visitor departs his or her home country until he/she returns. It seems logical; after all why would anyone pay for insurance coverage for an entire year for instance that covers the program dates only and opt out protection for days before or after, when engaging in other than business activities like sightseeing, travelling or recreation? However, more often than not exchange visitors tend to end their health insurance plan sooner than they actually depart the US—leaving them and their families vulnerable. Perhaps they try to save money this way not realizing that the risk of getting injured and needing medical attention will not change, or mistakenly believing that if coverage beyond program dates is not required for immigration purposes they will not need it for personal reasons either. Since unfortunately accidents do happen and they do not discriminate against dates, places or activities it is common sense and strongly recommended to stay enrolled in the plan until you arrive back home safely, and OISS advises to follow the DOS’ recommendation to choose an insurance plan that covers you and your loved ones not only for the minimum immigration requirements but also for your individual needs, e.g., for your entire stay in the US. As a quick reference, minimum health insurance requirements under J regulations are: Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000 Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of exchange visitors to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000 Deductibles not to exceed $500 per accident or illness A pre-existing “wait period” limitation of no more than six months The policy must be backed by the full faith and credit of home country government (for those covered by their home country's national insurance plan), or the company providing the insurance must meet minimum rating requirements established by the U.S. government (an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-1" or above, a Standard & Poor's Claims-paying Ability rating of "A-" or above, or a Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above). Policy must be in English Minimum 75% coverage for each accident or illness All exchange visitors and any accompanying dependents may also be subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (22 CFR 62.14(a))
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