Mandatory Insurance
All J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents are required by the federal government to maintain qualified health insurance coverage for the entire duration of their stay in the U.S. Santa Clara University requires that all SCU sponsored J-1 Scholars, and their J-2 dependents, provide documentation of sufficient insurance. It is the personal responsibility of all J-1 Scholars to ensure they are in compliance with state, federal, and University rules regarding insurance coverage.
Insurance Minimum Requirements
The insurance coverage must provide the following minimum coverage:
- 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 Visa 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
- A Moody’s Investor Services rating of “A3” or above; or
- 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 Medical Plan as determined by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.