Requirements
J-1 regulations require:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- In case of death, payment for repatriation (preparation and transportation of remains to home country) of $25,000
- Payment for medical evacuation (transportation to home country on advice of attending physician) in the amount of $50,000
- A deductible of up to $500 per accident or illness
- Coverage of pre-existing conditions after a reasonable waiting period
- Payment by the insurance company of at least 75 percent of the costs of medical care. The patient must not be required to pay more than 25 percent of medical care costs.
To comply with these regulations, health insurance policies must be underwritten by corporations that have one of the following:
- A.M. Best rating of A- or above
- McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor's Claims: paying Ability rating of A- or above
- Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above
- Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of A- or above
- Moody's Investor Services rating of A3 or above
Insurance backed by the full faith and credit of the J-1 Exchange Visitor's government will meet this requirement. The regulations state that any Exchange Visitor (or accompanying dependent) who fails to maintain health insurance coverage as detailed above or who misrepresents such coverage will be in violation of U.S. government regulations and shall be subject to termination as an Exchange Visitor.
Scholars and faculty invited to Dartmouth who will be funded as employees on the Dartmouth payroll are eligible for college insurance. Dartmouth's Open Access Plus 4 (OAP4) health insurance plan meets the U.S. Department of State's insurance requirements. Dartmouth has also agreed to cover the costs of medical evacuation and repatriation for J-1 visa holders who are employees. J-1 Exchange Visitors who are students at Dartmouth are registered in the College's student insurance plan, which meets government requirements.
J-1 Exchange Visitors who are not eligible for Dartmouth benefits must secure sufficient coverage to meet U.S. Department of State requirements before arrival in the United States. Coverage must be for the duration of the J-1 period of stay.