J-2 DEPENDENTS

J-2 Health Insurance Coverage

Health insurance in the United States is primarily a private industry with a variety of options for coverage and cost. The United States Department of State has established minimum requirements for insurance that are designed to protect the Exchange Visitor and his or her family.

Insurance Requirements set by the United States Department of state for all Exchange Visitors are as follows [from 22 CFR 62.14]:

1. 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:

          a. medical benefits of at least $50,000.00 per accident or illness
          b. repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500.00
          c. expenses associated with medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000.00
          d. a deductible not to exceed $500.00 per accident or illness


2. An insurance policy secured to fulfill the requirements of this section:

          a. may require a waiting period fore pre-existing conditions which is reasonable as determined by current industry standards
          b. may include provision for co-insurance under the terms of which the exchange visitor may be required to pay of to 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness
          c. shall not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which the exchange visitor participates.