Medical Insurance Requirement

J-1 Employees with university medical insurance

• If you choose university medical insurance, you must enroll in the CU Health Plan Exclusive (HMO) or the CU Health Plan Kaiser (EPO) insurance plan. These are the only CU plans that meet the minimum J-1 insurance requirements except medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.
• CU medical insurance does not include medical evacuation and repatriation or remains coverage; you must purchase medical evacuation and repatriation of remains coverage for the duration of your J program for yourself and your J-2 dependents.

You cannot purchase Medical Evacuation & Repatriation (MER) coverage from a U.S. company until you enroll in university medical insurance. The University of Colorado does not endorse or take responsibility for insurance coverage purchased through these providers. You can choose a different insurance.

• Global Travel Plus
  • Medical Travel Assistance: Global Travel Plus 202 Carnegie Center, Suite 302A Princeton, NJ 08540 Tel # 609-986-1213. Sales: sales@globaltravelplus.com Support: info@globaltravelplus.com
  • CISI (Cultural Insurance Services International)
    • Telephone: 800 303-8120
    • https://www.culturalinsurance.com/
  • Compass Student/Scholar Insurance offers 4 J scholar plans

• You must enroll in university medical insurance within 30 days of starting your employment with CU.
• If you begin your position at CU on the first of the month, your CU medical insurance will start the same day.
• If you begin your position at CU after the first day of the month, your CU university insurance will begin the first day of the next month.
  • You must have medical insurance that meets the J insurance requirements that begins on your J program begin date and is valid until the start of your employee medical insurance.
    • Insurance from your home country if it meets the minimum requirements (see below)
    • International Student Protection (ISP)*
    • Student Secure by International Student Insurance*
  • You must submit proof to ISSS with the university medical insurance information after it begins using J-1 Online Check In.

The CU university insurance coverage ends on June 30 every year. In early May employees receive information about “Open Enrollment” for medical insurance and other benefits for the period of time beginning July 1.

Be sure to re-enroll by the Open Enrollment deadline to continue University medical insurance coverage. See the University Benefits Page for more information on University Insurance: http://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits

J-1 Exchange Visitors without university medical insurance

You must purchase medical insurance that meets the standards below for yourself and all J-2 dependents. If you will not have insurance from your home country that meets the requirements, here are some insurance companies that provide policies that meet the J requirements. The University of Colorado does not endorse or take responsibility for insurance coverage purchased through these providers. 

• International Student Protection (ISP)
• Student Secure by International Student Insurance
  • Global Travel Plus
    • Medical Travel Assistance: Global Travel Plus 202 Carnegie Center, Suite 302A Princeton, NJ 08540 Tel # 609-986-1213. Sales: sales@globaltravelplus.com Support: info@globaltravelplus.com
  • CISI (Cultural Insurance Services International)
    • Telephone: 800 303-8120
    • https://www.culturalinsurance.com/
  • Compass Student/Scholar Insurance offers 4 J scholar plans
• GeoBlue*
• Gallagher Benefit Services*

*Unfortunately, some insurers are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with sanctioned countries (a current list is here) due to US or EU Sanctions laws. If you are unable to purchase insurance from the companies listed above due to your citizenship and the current US sanctions, these companies may have options. Contact ISSS if you need assistance.

Minimum Requirements

The J insurance coverage must provide the following minimum coverage for each J VISA holder:

• 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 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 o A Moody’s Investor Services rating of “A3” or above;
• 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.

Health Insurance 101

To international students and scholars visiting the United States, the US health care system might seem impossibly complicated and confusing. This is because the US health care system is impossibly complicated and confusing; most US citizens don't even fully understand it. The following is a short guide to help you to better understand the US health care system, so you will be fully prepared for your stay in the United States.

What is health insurance?

The term refers to a variety of insurance policies, ranging from those that cover the costs of doctors and hospitals to those that meet a specific need—like vision or dental coverage. When most of us talk about health insurance, however, we refer to the kind of plan that covers doctor bills, surgery and hospital costs. Just like car or home insurance, you pick a health insurance plan and agree to pay a specific rate, or premium, for that policy. In return, the insurance company agrees to pay a specific percentage of your medical expenses for a specific list of medical services (covered services).

How does health insurance work?

In return for your premium, the insurance company agrees to share the cost of covered medical services with you. Those services are listed in your policy along with your out of pocket cost for each service—copay, a deductible or coinsurance. Not all medical services are covered by health insurance plans; the ones that aren’t are called exclusions and limitations and they are listed in the policy brochure.

Types of health insurance

Health insurance is an umbrella term; there are different kinds of health insurance products to cover different kinds of healthcare needs. Medical health insurance benefits may include preventive care and benefits for illnesses and accidents, either in or out of the hospital. For other healthcare needs, you may need other types of insurance like: Dental insurance: covers your oral health and usually includes regular cleanings and things like cavities. Vision insurance: covers your eyes’ health and can include coverage for glasses or contacts.

Who’s in and who’s out

Most insurance companies have negotiated discounts with doctors and facilities. Payments by your insurance company are usually based on these discounted rates and those doctors and facilities are called in network. Because it saves the insurance company (and you, the insured!) money, you are rewarded for seeking care in network or with preferred providers with a lower out of pocket cost and lower overall cost of care. On the flip side, if you choose to use an out of network doctor or facility, you’re still covered, but the copay, coinsurance, deductible and other benefits may be different than when staying in network. Be sure to read that policy carefully so you know what to expect!