Mandatory Health Insurance for all J Visa Holders
Non-student Exchange Visitor categories include postdoctoral fellows, visiting professors, medical observers, and other related academic appointments. J-1 (primary) and J-2 (dependents) visa holders are required by their visa status to maintain medical health insurance coverage at all times during their exchange visit. The minimum basic coverage is:
- Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness;
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500;
- Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000; and
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
In some cases, the exchange visitor is funded by a sponsoring agency or organization. When this occurs, the sponsor normally arranges for medical insurance coverage, ensuring it meets with the regulatory guidance above. This also applies when the The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions serves as the sponsor, through either a department or grant. In all other cases, the J-1 primary visa holder is responsible to arrange for suitable medical insurance coverage for him-/herself and dependents.
