Medical Insurance

Regulation
As an Exchange Visitor in the United States, you are required to carry health insurance for yourself and your J-2 dependents for the full duration of your J program. Government regulations stipulate that if you willfully fail to carry health insurance for yourself and your dependents, your J-1 sponsor must terminate your program, and report the termination to the United States Department of State (DOS) in Washington.

Required Insurance Specifications
While you hold J-1 or J-2 status, you are required to carry the following type and amounts of coverage:

  • $50,000 (minimum) for each accident or illness.
  • $10,000 (minimum) for the expenses of your travel, if a doctor advises you to be sent home because of a serious illness or injury.
  • $7,500 (minimum) in benefits to send your remains to your home country for burial, if you should die in the United States.
  • $500 (maximum) deductible per accident or illness.
  • Waiting period for pre-existing conditions must be reasonable by current standards in the insurance industry.
  • The policy must be backed by the full faith and credit of your home country government or the company providing the insurance must meet minimum rating requirements established by USIA (an A. M. Best rating of "A-" or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-i" or above, a Standard & Poor's Claims-paying Ability rating of "A-" or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above).

Insurance Options
If the University of Maryland is your J-1 sponsor, you have several options that comply with the J-1 regulation.

  • Maryland Benefits Plan is available to some Maryland employees. By selecting only medical coverage in the benefits plan, this does not provide for medical evacuation or repatriation insurance.
    • You may either choose to add Personal Accident & Dismemberment coverage (PA&D) through the benefits plan; or
    • You may select the supplemental policy through the University Health Center which covers just medical evacuation and repatriation.
  • United Health Care (UHC) student insurance policy is available for faculty and staff at the Health Center.
  • If you are already covered by insurance that meets the requirements below, please provide written proof of coverage to IES.
    • The information should be in English o Clearly specify the amount of coverage, deductible, co-payments, and exclusions.
    • Provide period and type of coverage and the policy concerning pre-existing conditions.
    • State company rating o UMCP offers a group insurance policy which provides emergency medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance.
Where To Find Insurance Information
If you need information about purchasing UHC insurance, you may contact the Health Center at (301) 314-8165 or via email at rubenstahl@health.umd.edu.