Mandatory Health Insurance

Mandatory Health Insurance

Mandatory Health Insurance Policy

J-1 regulations set by the U.S. Department of State require all J-1 Exchange Visitors and their dependents to carry health insurance.

Proof of insurance is mandatory for J-1 Exchange Visitors and any J-2 Dependents that will accompany J-1 to the United States. Proof of insurance must be emailed to the International Center prior to your travel to the U.S. Failure to present proof of insurance coverage will result in the termination of the DS-2019 and J-1 Status. The participant will need not be able to continue in their program, and must depart the US immediatly, per US Department of State regulations.

See the regulation here [22 CFR 62.14] for a full list of requirements for J-1 health insurance. Minimum required coverage includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

  • 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 of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000 
  • A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness. 
  • Insurance must cover the entire period of participation in the Exchange Visitor Program.

The willful failure to maintain insurance coverage will result in a termination of the program and visa.

Insurance Options For Exchange Visitors

Scholar and Intern Insurance Options

J-1 scholars have a few options for insurance, depending on if they will be on Rowan University payroll as a paid employee or not:

Paid scholars:

  • Scholars and interns on Rowan's payroll have the opportunity to opt into Rowan's employee health insurance benefit.
  • Employee health insurance has a 60-day waiting period in accordance with New Jersey state law.
    • Scholars must purchase a short-term insurance plan through ISI or ISO until the employee insurance benefit begins.
  • Scholars and interns who do not opt into the employee health insurance will be required to purchase insurance through ISI or ISO for the entire duration of their J-1 program.
  • Note: Scholars on Rowan's employee insurance plan must also purchase supplementary insurance to meet the Department of State's requirements on medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. This can be done via ISI or ISO:

Unpaid/volunteer scholars:

  • Scholars and interns who will not be paid by Rowan University are responsible for purchasing their own insurance that will cover the entire duration of their J-1 program.
  • We strongly recommend using either ISI or ISO to assure that you are in compliance with J-1 regulations
  • If you purchase insurance from your home country, you MUST make sure it covers all J-1 insurance requirements or you jeopordize your status in the U.S.!
Exchange Student Insurance Options

Exchange students are subject to Rowan University's mandatory insurance policy for all students. You can read about this policy here.

As an Exchange Student, you must choose one of the two options below:

Please contact the International Center if you have any issues purchasing insurance through ISI or ISO as an exchange student.