Insurance

U.S. government regulations require all J-1 principals and their J‐2 dependents to have Sickness and Accident insurance, and Medical Evacuation and Repatriation insurance in effect for the duration of your J status validity period. Acceptable proof of such coverage will be determined by Exchange Visitor Services staff.

It is your responsibility to maintain valid health insurance at ALL times from the Start Date on your DS2019 until the end date on your DS2019. A willful failure on the part of the exchange visitor to maintain effective insurance will result in termination of the visitor’s program. If you or your J-2 dependents are outside of the U.S., you are still required to maintain current health insurance in order to maintain legal status and an active DS2019.

If you are currently covered by another insurance plan, or wish to purchase insurance through a company that does not appear on the list of insurers on this document, you must provide proof of the required insurance coverage to the International Center. This proof must be printed in English, must include the name of the insured(s), the dates of coverage (beginning and end-dates. The amounts of the coverage for each of the specified categories must be posted in U.S. currency figures.

If you cannot provide proof as outlined above, you will be required to purchase one of the pre‐approved plans that meet the mandatory requirements. If you purchase one of these plans, you must submit confirmation of purchase showing your name, the names of any dependents that are also covered, and the dates of coverage.

The required insurance coverage must be purchased for a minimum of a 90-day period. Exchange visitors who will hold J status for less than 90 days may purchase insurance coverage on a month-to-month basis until the end of thier program.

If you are eligible to enroll for UF benefits, you must still purchase insurance to cover you until your UF insurance coverage is active. Be aware that UF benefits DO NOT meet the medical evacuation and repatriation requirements, so you MUST purchase a supplemental policy providing this coverage for the duration of your stay.

If you are eligible for GatorGradCare or GatorPostDocCare, you must still purchase insurance to cover you until your UF insurance coverage is active. Please check with your host department to find out if you are eligible for GatorGradCare or GatorPostDocCare. These plans DO meet the medical evacuation and repatriation requirements, so you WILL NOT be required to purchase a supplemental policy providing this coverage for the duration of your stay.

PLEASE SEND CONFIRMATIONS OR QUESTIONS TO: scholarinsurance@ufic.ufl.edu

Insurance policies must meet the following requirements:

1. Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness;
2. Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500;
3. Medical Evacuation in the amount of $10,000;
4. A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness (also may include a waiting period for pre‐existing conditions and 25% co‐payment);
5. Policy shall not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the Exchange Program in which the Exchange Visitor participates;
6. Any insurance policy secured to fulfill these requirements must meet minimum Insurance Solvency rating:
   1. Underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of “A‐“ or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A” or above, a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above;
   2. Backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor’s home country; OR
   3. Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor; OR
   4. 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 US Department of Health and Human Services;
7. Must be acceptable in all medical facilities.

Pre‐approved Companies and Plans: Accident and Illness Insurance

Please send all insurance confirmations to: scholarinsurance@ufic.ufl.edu