J-1 Health Insurance

Health Insurance Requirements

The Department of State requires that each J-1 exchange visitor and any J-2 dependents have appropriate health insurance during their program.  The University must terminate an exchange visitor’s program if the visitor or visitor’s dependents willfully fail to comply with the insurance requirement.  In addition, J visa holders may be or may become subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

The Department of State has set specific minimum requirements for the type and amount of insurance coverage.  Your J-1 packet will contain this information.  Please make sure that your insurance is issued by a US company.  Before the start date of your J program you must show that you have health insurance that meets the requirements for the duration of your stay.  This includes all family members with a J-2 DS-2019.

As a paid, full-time employee at Boise State University you may receive health insurance benefits through the University.  Please contact your host department to determine if this applies to you.  If so, you still must meet the J coverage requirements and will need to purchase evacuation and repatriation of remains insurance through an outside company.  In addition, please note that if your Boise State health benefits will not begin the same day as your program you will need to purchase appropriate coverage to bridge the gap until your Boise State benefits start.

J1 Health Insurance Regulations

Questions

Please contact globalscholars@boisestate.edu if you have further questions regarding the health insurance requirements.