Health Insurance Requirements

All J-1 & J-2 Exchange Visitors are required to carry medical insurance for the duration of their J program in order to maintain their lawful J status. This health insurance coverage is required to meet minimum criteria. In many circumstances J-1 Exchange Visitors are eligible for health insurance through Hopkins. If not, J Exchange Visitors, are required to seek out health insurance that meets the minimum criteria.  Exchange visitors will need to submit a completed Health Insurance Pledge to the OIS prior to the creation of their initial DS-2019 and any time their DS-2019 is extended and/or amended. 

J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents may be subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. 

Health Insurance Minimum Requirements:

Below are the insurance requirements effective as of May 15, 2015.

• Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per person per accident or illness 
• Deductible of no more than $500 per accident or illness 
• Medical Evacuation up to $50,000 
• Repatriation of remains up to $25,000 
• Covers pre-existing conditions after a reasonable waiting period 
• Includes provision for co-payment that does not exceed 25% co-pay by the Exchange Visitor 
• Does not exclude benefits for perils inherent to the activities of the Exchange Visitor’s program 
• Must be underwritten by an insurance company that meets the rating requirements of the Department of State or is backed by the full faith and credit of the Exchange Visitor’s government.

Failure to Maintain Health Insurance

Willful failure on the part of the Exchange Visitor or any J-2 dependents to maintain the required insurance will result in the termination of your J program.

Private Health Insurance Providers

Most students at JHU are required to enroll in the JHU student health insurance plan, WellFleet (or EHP for JHMI schools).  If you have JHU health insurance coverage, you do not need to purchase an additional plan.  If you are not eligible for JHU health insurance, you must purchase health insurance coverage through a third party provider.  You’ll need to carefully review the details of the plan to make sure that the plan meets the minimum criteria stated above.