International Support Services

Insurance Requirements for J-1 Visiting Scholars


Requirements:
According to USIA policy, all exchange visitors and their families are required to have health and accident insurance coverage during their entire stay in the United States. Virginia Tech requires that all visiting scholars show proof of insurance coverage that meets USIA specifications upon arrival.

Scholars MUST show proof of health insurance coverage at check-in
and will NOT be checked-in without proof of coverage for
themselves and accompanying family members.


The minimum policy requirements are as follows:

  • Major medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness (a basic policy of $50,000 total coverage is not acceptable)
  • Repatriation of remains to home country of $7,500
  • Medical evacuation of $10,000
  • Deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

Insurance policies are permitted that include provisions for co-insurance under the terms of which an exchange visitor is required to pay up to 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness.

The regulations require the university to terminate a visitor's program
status for willful failure to comply with the health insurance requirement.


Health Insurance Cost:
The average insurance cost for one person is approximately $70-150 per month depending on the age of the scholar. Coverage for a visiting scholar and family (spouse and children) is $220-350 per month. It is a good idea to explore multiple health insurance options including health insurance from the home country (which is often less expensive than health insurance bought from a US company). Insurance policies purchased outside the United States must also meet the minimum requirements of USIA. The appropriateness of coverage will be checked by Int'l Support Services upon arrival.

Scholars who have a VT Salary and Benefits Package:
Scholars who receive a salary and benefits package from Virginia Tech may be eligible to enroll in VT health insurance. Scholars should check with their faculty sponsor to determine eligibility. However, VT health insurance does not include medical evacuation and repatriation of remains (ME&R) coverage. Scholars covered by VT insurance must purchase ME&R coverage separately. The Harbour Group offers ME&R coverage. ISS understands that scholars who are eligible to enroll in VT's health insurance must do so after arriving; therefore these scholars need only to show proof of enrollment in ME&R coverage at check-in. These scholars must then submit proof of their enrollment in VT's health insurance after their HR orientation.

Health Insurance from a U.S. company:
For scholars who wish to purchase health insurance from a U.S. company, the list below provides a starting place for exploring health insurance plans offered by U.S. companies which meet the minimum health insurance requirements; however, not all plans sold by these companies meet the minimum requirements. It is the scholar's responsibility to research and purchase an acceptable policy.

To purchase health insurance from a U.S. company, start here:
Nriol.net compares rates of multiple health insurance plans based on factors such as age, length of stay, desired deductible, and dependents.

Other Visiting Scholar Health Insurance Companies:

*Virginia Tech cannot evaluate, recommend, or endorse any specific health insurance company or policy, but provides this health insurance information as a courtesy to visiting scholars and their families.

For more information, please contact:

Mollie Hyde
Coordinator of International Support Services
Phone: (540) 231-1425
E-mail: mhyde@vt.edu