Medical Insurance Requirement

The U.S. Department of State requires J-1 Exchange Visitors and J-2 dependents to have medical insurance that meets minimum requirements (see below) during the validity dates of Form(s) DS-2019. ISSS recommends that you have medical insurance from the time you enter the U.S. until the day you leave the U.S.

The willful failure to carry the required medical insurance for yourself and, if applicable, your dependents, or material misrepresentation of insurance coverage will result in the termination of your J program and legal status in the U.S.

J-1 Employees with university medical insurance

• If you choose university medical insurance, you must enroll in the CU Health Plan Exclusive (HMO) or the CU Health Plan Kaiser (EPO) insurance plan. These are the only CU plans that meet the minimum J-1 insurance requirements except medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.
• CU medical insurance does not include medical evacuation and repatriation or remains coverage; you must purchase medical evacuation and repatriation of remains coverage for the duration of your J program for yourself and your J-2 dependents.
  • You cannot purchase Medical Evacuation & Repatriation (MER) coverage from a U.S. company until you enroll in university medical insurance
  • To purchase visit the American College Student Association*. The plan* is valid for one calendar year from the date of purchase. You will receive an immediate on-screen confirmation with website and login credentials and contact information for your plan. Approximately one month before the plan expiration, you will receive an email notifying you of the expiration date with the option to renew.

*Must be purchased within 30 days of arrival in US.

• You must enroll in university medical insurance within 30 days of starting your employment with CU.
• If you begin your position at CU on the first of the month, your CU medical insurance will start the same day.
• If you begin your position at CU after the first day of the month, your CU university insurance will begin the first day of the next month.
  • You must have medical insurance that meets the J insurance requirements that begins on your J program begin date and is valid until the start of your employee medical insurance.
    • Insurance from your home country if it meets the minimum requirements (see below)
    • International Student Protection (ISP)*
    • Student Secure by International Student Insurance*
• You must submit proof to ISSS with the university medical insurance information after it begins using J-1 Online Check In.

The CU university insurance coverage ends on June 30 every year. In early May employees receive information about “Open Enrollment” for medical insurance and other benefits for the period of time beginning July 1.

Be sure to re-enroll by the Open Enrollment deadline to continue University medical insurance coverage. See the University Benefits Page for more information on University Insurance: http://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits

J-1 Exchange Visitors without university medical insurance

You must purchase medical insurance that meets the standards below for yourself and all J-2 dependents. If you will not have insurance from your home country that meets the requirements, here are some insurance companies that provide policies that meet the J requirements:

• International Student Protection (ISP)*
• Student Secure by International Student Insurance*

Unfortunately, some insurers are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with sanctioned countries (a current list is here) due to US or EU Sanctions laws. If you are unable to purchase insurance from ISI or ISP due to your citizenship and the current US sanctions, the following insurance may have options. Contact ISSS if you need assistance.

• GeoBlue*
• Gallagher Benefit Services*

*The University of Colorado does not endorse or take responsibility for insurance coverage purchased through these providers.” 

Minimum Requirements

The J insurance coverage must provide the following minimum coverage for each J VISA holder:

• Minimum medical benefit of $100,000 per person per accident or illness;
• Deductible that does not exceed $500 per accident or illness;
• Minimum repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;
• Minimum medical evacuation expenses in the amount of $50,000; and
• Co-insurance paid by J-1 not to exceed 25% of covered benefits per accident or illness. Insurance policies:
• May require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions that is reasonable as determined by current industry standards; and
• Must not unreasonably exclude coverage for the perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which you participate.

Any policy, plan, or contract secured to fill the J insurance requirements must at minimum be:

• Underwritten by an insurance corporation having:
• An A.M. Best rating of “A-“ or above; or
• A McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor Claims-paying Ability rating of “A-“ or above; or
• A Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B+” or above; or
• A Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of “A-“ or above; or o A Moody’s Investor Services rating of “A3” or above;
• Be backed by the full faith and credit of the exchange visitor’s home country; 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 or eligible Competitive Medial Plan as determined by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services