Skip to main content
International Student and Scholar Services

Insurance

You are required to have medical insurance in effect for yourself and any dependents in J-visa status for the duration of your program.
Hidden image
  • Some sponsors provide the required insurance for their participants.
  • Other sponsors may allow you to make your own arrangements or may help to identify insurance carriers.
  • Consult with your responsible officer before the start of your program.
  • Government regulations stipulate that if, after the program's beginning date, you willfully fail to carry the required health insurance or who make a material misrepresentation to the sponsor concerning such coverage, you and your dependents will loose their immigration status and will be subject to program termination and be reported to the U.S. Department of State.

Helpful Insurance Information

Please read the following:
    • The costs of medical care and hospitalization are at an all-time high. An accident, unexpected illness, or hospitalization can result in a significant financial burden to you, your family, and the community.
    • A medical health plan provides a way to help defray some of these costs as they arise. Although in many countries the government bears the expenses of health care for its citizens, and sometimes even for visitors, individuals and families in the United States are responsible for these costs themselves.
    • A single day of hospitalization and medical treatment could cost thousands of dollars, and many hospitals and doctors refuse to treat uninsured patients except in life-threatening emergencies.
    • When you purchase health coverage, the money you pay (premium) is combined with the premiums of others to form a pool of money. That money is then used to pay the medical bills of those participants who need medical care. Your coverage remains valid only as long as you continue to pay the insurance premiums.
    • Once you purchase insurance, your insurer provides you with an insurance identification card for use as proof of coverage should you seek medical help at a hospital or doctor's office. The company also provides written instructions for reporting and documenting medical expenses (filing a claim). The company will evaluate any claim that is filed and make the appropriate payment based upon the coverage of your policy. In some cases the company pays the hospital or doctor directly while in others the company reimburses you after you have paid the bills.
    • 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 to home country in the amount of $50,000; and
    • A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
    • It may require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions.
    • It may include provision for co-insurance to pay up to 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness; and
    • It shall not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which the exchange visitor participates.

  • Your policy must be:

    • Underwritten by an insurance corporation having 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, a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above, or such other rating as the Department of State may from time to time specify; or
    • Backed by the full faith and credit of the exchange visitor's home government; or
    • Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor; or
    • Offered through or underwritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or eligible Competitive Medical Plan (CMP) as determined by the Health Care Financing Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

  • In choosing an insurance policy, consider the following factors:

    • The reliability of the company.
    • Deductible amounts.
    • Co-insurance (The policy might pay 80%, and the remaining 20% is payable by the visitor.)
    • Specific limits as to what the insurance will pay for particular services.
    • Lifetime per occurrence maximums.
    • Exclusions (most insurance companies exclude coverage for certain conditions).

    You are welcome to contact the staff in International Services about approved insurance policies available in the United States.

    When working with an insurance agent, you should feel free to ask questions and take the time to learn about and understand the choices before making a decision. If uncertain or confused, you should not sign anything.

  • Also known as "Obamacare," "Marketplace Insurance," or "SelectHealth," ACA insurance is available to J-1 visa holders. Please note that there are very complicated tax rules surrounding this and careful consideration should be given if you choose to enroll:

    • ACA coverage is also a tax benefit. As such, you as the insured will be required to file tax reporting forms each year.
    • For most J-1 visa holders, if you have a spouse and/or have children who will be on the insurance plan with you, you will be subject to a penalty of at least $600 on your tax forms. It is our recommendation that you enroll in separate plans from your spouse and children.
      • BYU ISSS is not certified to help J-1 visa holders file taxes in these situations.
        • The companies that can help file such tax forms will charge a minimum of $50 - $500 for tax preparation.
    • If you are on a separate plan from your spouse/children, you will not be subject to this tax penalty.
      • BYU ISSS is certified to help J-1 visa holders file taxes in this situation.