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International Student & Scholar Services

For J-1 Scholars and J-1 Student Interns

US federal law mandates that J-1 Exchange Visitors and J-2 dependents maintain health insurance throughout the duration of their Exchange Visitor program. Please read below for information on how to comply with this requirement.

Health Insurance Requirements

Vanderbilt J-1 scholars (research scholar, professor, short-term scholar, specialist, or student intern) must maintain health insurance that meets the requirements outlined in the federal regulations for themselves and any J-2 dependents residing in the US. This coverage must be valid for the entire duration of the exchange visitor program (program dates listed on the form DS-2019).

Health insurance for J-1 exchange visitors and J-2 dependents must meet the insurance policy requirements listed below. You will be required to show proof of compliant health insurance during your J-1 Scholar SEVIS check-in upon your arrival to Vanderbilt University.

Willful failure to maintain adequate health insurance coverage is a violation of J-1 status and will result in the loss of employment authorization, extension of stay, change of status, and other benefits. J-1 exchange visitors and J-2 dependents must maintain health insurance that meets or exceeds the conditions described below.

1. Lifetime/per occurrence maximum: The lifetime/per occurrence maximum cannot be less than $100,000. This is the maximum the insurance will pay over your lifetime and/or for each specific illness or injury.

2. Deductible: The deductible for the insurance plan cannot be more than $500 per accident or illness. A deductible is the expense amount paid by you before the insurance will provide coverage.

3. Medical Evacuation: The insurance plan must provide at least $50,000 for medical evacuation to your home country. This is the amount your insurance will pay to send you home for medical treatment on the advice of a doctor.

4. Repatriation of Remains: The insurance plan must provide at least $25,000 for repatriation of remains. This is the amount your insurance will pay to send your remains to your home country in the event of death in the US.

5. Insurance Rating/Financial Solvency: The insurance that you choose that meets the above requirements must also be:
(1) Underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-I” or above, a Standard and Poor’s Claims Paying Ability rating of “A-” or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above; or

(2) Backed by the full faith and credit of the government of your home country; or

(3) Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor. (i.e. part of your Vanderbilt University benefits if you are eligible to receive them)

Additional information

The insurance policy may:
(1) Establish a waiting period before it covers pre-existing conditions if the waiting period is reasonable by current industry standards.
(2) May include provisions for co-insurance under the terms of which the exchange visitor may be required to pay up to 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness. Co-insurance is the percentage of expenses for which you are responsible for on a covered service. If your policy includes a co-insurance provision, it must establish that the provider will cover at least 75% of the covered medical expenses.
(3) Must not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which you will participate.

The insurance must cover the J-1 exchange visitor and accompanying J-2 dependents for the “actual duration of the exchange visitor’s participation in the exchange visitor program.” (For exchange visitors who are participating in multiple year programs, the coverage can be purchased annually.)

Confirmation of Health Insurance Coverage

Incoming J-1 scholars who have been invited by a Vanderbilt University department will need to complete the J-1 Health Insurance Acknowledgment as part of the DS-2019 application process. This form must be completed before your host department can submit the DS-2019 application to ISSS.

If you will arrive to the US before your university health benefits will be effective, or if you will not be eligible for university health benefits, we strongly recommend that you purchase coverage prior to arriving in the US. Before making a purchase, review the insurance policy to make sure it meets all of the federal requirements.

Upon arrival to Vanderbilt University, you will be required to complete a new J-1 Scholar SEVIS check-in. During this process, you will need to provide proof of your J-1 compliant health insurance coverage and complete the Annual Health Insurance Pledge. This form must be completed each year during your exchange visitor program at Vanderbilt.

Health Insurance for Vanderbilt Employees

J-1 exchange visitors who are in a benefits-eligible employee role at Vanderbilt are eligible to enroll in health benefits plans through the university. As of December 1, 2020, the Aetna International Plan is the employee health benefit plan that satisfies the federal requirements for J-1 exchange visitors. J-1 scholars who are benefits-eligible and wish to participate in a university health plan must select the Aetna International Health plan during benefits enrollment.

For more information on the plan cost and coverage details, visit the HR benefits page. If you choose to waive participation in the Aetna International Health Plan, you will need to provide proof of health insurance coverage that meets the federal requirements. You will be required to show this coverage for yourself and any J-2 dependents who are with you.

Health Insurance for Non-Benefits Eligible Exchange Visitors

Vanderbilt University cannot recommend or endorse any specific health insurance company or policy. A sample listing of health insurance providers that offer J-1 compliant plans is listed below.

Medical Evacuation and Repatriation

Most health insurance plans in the US (especially employer-based insurance plans) do not include coverage for medical evacuation or repatriation of remains, both of which are required for J-1 exchange visitors. If your (or your dependent’s) health insurance plan does not include such coverage, you will need to purchase supplemental plans to ensure your compliance with J-1 regulations. A couple of supplemental plans are listed below.

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