Insurance for J-1 Non-Students

All individuals in J-1 status are subject to an insurance requirement stipulated by U.S. law and must be maintained at the required insurance level at all times you are present in the U.S. in J status. Failing to enroll in insurance coverage within 30 days of your arrival at the University will jeopardize your lawful status in the United States and your standing with the University. The details of this requirement are below.

Compliance is your responsibility. Some medical plans, including those offered through the University, meet the requirements. If you are considering coverage from a source other than the University, for yourself or your dependents, you should ask a representative of the provider for confirmation that that insurance meets the government requirements quoted below. It must do so in all respects except for "medical evacuation" (the cost of transportation home in case of serious illness) or "repatriation of remains" (shipment of a body to the home country in case of death), as that part will be covered by the University even for those who do not enroll in an insurance plan offered by the University.

UChicago Employee Eligibility:

Individuals who are classified as employees (i.e. staff/faculty) at UChicago qualify for the standard University of Chicago benefits plan, which includes health insurance that meets the minimum coverage requirements. Enrollment occurs in the Workday system. Information on this policy and enrollment can be reviewed on the UChicago Benefits page. If you are not sure whether you are an employee (e.g. Visiting Professor), please contact your host department at UChicago.

UChicago Postdoctoral Scholars, Fellows, and Visiting Scholars Eligibility:

Those who are affiliated with UChicago as postdoctoral scholars, fellows, and visiting scholars, for more than 30 days qualify for coverage under the University's Postdoctoral Researcher Benefits Plan (PRBP) offered through insurance company, Gallagher. If the J-1 scholar does not qualify for this plan, then an independent plan through Gallagher is available on their website.

UChicago covers medical evacuation and repatriation of remains policy, even if you do not enroll in the PRBP, you will be covered for that element of insurance and do not have to purchase it.

Third-Party Insurance Coverage Enrollment:

It is possible to choose an insurance provider and policy not associated with UChicago. A list of companies are listed at the bottom of this webpage. The insurance coverage you have or will have must meet or exceed the legal requirement stated below. Should you choose to enroll in outside coverage, you must have your policy approved by emailing Candace Neeson at Candace_neeson@ajg.com. If you wish to determine beforehand whether the insurance policy you have or intend to purchase meets the minimum requirements, please contact Ms. Candace Neeson at Gallagher and allow 48 hours for a response.

For questions regarding the requirements of J-1 status or any other status-related questions, please contact your adviser at the Office of International Affairs or international-affairs@uchicago.edu.

Details Regarding the Legal Requirement for Health Insurance for Individuals in J Status
A federal regulation, part of which is quoted in the box below, makes health insurance a condition of J-1 Exchange Visitor status in the United States, and specifies the types and levels of coverage. The requirement applies to all exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents. Under this regulation, if you fail to carry the required insurance, for yourself or your J-2 dependents, the University must terminate your participation in its Exchange Visitor program, and report that termination to the U.S. Department of State. Termination would end your J-1 status and your employment/visit eligibility, and that of your J-2 dependents, and would jeopardize your affiliation with the University.

Insurance Requirements for Exchange Visitors

Minimum coverage shall provide:

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; and
A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

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

May require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions which is reasonable as determined by current industry standards. The University has determined the current industry standard to be 6 months or less.
May include provision for co-insurance under the terms of which the exchange visitor may be required to pay up to 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness; and
Shall not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which the exchange visitor participates.

Any policy, plan, or contract secured to fulfill the above requirements must, at a minimum, be:

Underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of ‘‘A-’’ or above; a McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor’s Claims-paying Ability rating of ‘‘A-’’ or above; a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of ‘‘B+’’ or above; a Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of ‘‘A-’’ or above; a Moody’s Investor Services rating of ‘‘A3’’ or above; or such other rating as the Department of State may from time to time specify; or
Backed by the full faith and credit of the government 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 (HMO) or eligible Competitive Medical Plan (CMP) as determined by the Health Care Financing Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Quoted from the Federal Register, March 19, 1993, page 15201, revised, October 6, 2014, page 60317

Companies that provide insurance for J-1 Scholars and their J-2 dependents include but are not limited to:

Occasional Lectures and Short-Term Consultations