Health Insurance
All J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents are required by law to carry health insurance during the course of their J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. The regulation (22 CFR 62.14) details the minimum coverage that must be provided and other requirements of the plan. These details are listed below.
J-1 Scholar Insurance
ISSS will request proof that you and your J-2 dependents are currently covered by an appropriate type and amount of health insurance as required by Exchange Visitor Program regulations. All J-1 exchange visitors at Emory are expected to provide proof of insurance from one of the approved insurance venues below:
1) T.W. Lord & Associates
ISSS has secured an insurance plan through T.W. Lord and Associates that meets the regulatory requirements. Brochures with attached applications are available in the ISSS office or may be secured directly from TW Lord (770/427-2461 or 1-800-633-2360). Mail completed application and fee directly to the company to purchase the plan. Once received and processed, the insurance company will send you a letter and an insurance card. A photocopy of the insurance card or verification letter is sufficient evidence of health insurance coverage. Proof of this insurance must be provided either prior to arrival or upon arrival at orientation. Scholars are required to enroll in the TW Lord plan unless they are covered by one of Emory’s employee insurance plans, a sponsoring agency, or their home country government.
2) Insurance Through Employee Benefits
If you are employed by Emory University and benefits eligible, one of the Emory University health insurance plans, http://www.hr.emory.edu/eu/benefits/healthanddental/healthbenefits/index.html, will meet the requirements for health insurance. The selection is made online after employment begins; help from the department’s Human Resources representative may be requested. You are urged to make this selection promptly in order to be covered retroactively from the beginning of employment. A copy of your Benefits Summary showing your insurance selection may be presented as initial proof of insurance, as long as the selection is made during the first 30 days of employment.
3) Insurance from Sponsoring Programs, Agencies, or Government
Exchange visitors who are sponsored by an organization or agency (such as, Fulbright, Kellogg, government agency, or home country government) that also provides insurance coverage, must present proof of insurance, in English, prior to arrival or at the ISSS orientation. An official letter from the sponsor, the sponsor’s insurance card, or the insurance policy (in English) can be used as evidence of insurance.
Specific Health Insurance Details Required By Law:
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Sponsors shall require each exchange visitor to have insurance in effect which covers the exchange visitor for sickness or accident during the period of time that an exchange visitor participates in the sponsor's exchange visitor program. Minimum coverage shall provide:
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Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness;
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Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500;
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Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000; and
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A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
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An insurance policy secured to fulfill the requirements of this section:
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May require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions which is reasonable as determined by current industry standards;
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May include provision 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; and
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Shall not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which the exchange visitor participates.
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Any policy, plan, or contract secured to fill the above requirements must, at a minimum, be:
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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
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Backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor's home country; or
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Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor; or
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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.
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