U.S. laws governing J-1 status require Exchange Visitors to obtain health insurance for the entire period of J-1 status in the United States. Section 514.14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Volume 22 requires the following:
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That the J-1 Exchange Visitor and any dependents in J-2 status have health insurance for the entire period of stay;
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The minimum requirement for health insurance coverage is $50,000 per accident or illness;
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Insurance coverage for medical evacuation is required at a minimum of $10,000. This is used in the unlikely event that you or your family member must be evacuated to your home country for medical treatment;
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Insurance coverage for repatriation of remains is required at a $7,500 minimum. This is used in the unlikely event that you or a family member should die in the United States and the remains must be returned to your home country; and
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The maximum deductible on the health insurance may not exceed $500 per accident or illness.
An acceptable insurance policy may require a reasonable waiting period for pre-existing conditions. It may also include provisions for co-insurance payments of up to 25%. It may not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program. Any insurance policy must be underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above, an Insurance Solvency International Ltd. 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 backed by the full faith and credit of the Exchange Visitor's home government, insurance that is part of a group health benefits program offered to employees or enrolled students by the University, and insurance that is underwritten by a federally qualified HMO or CMP do not require a rating.
Federal regulations require Georgetown to terminate your J-1 program if:
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You willfully fail to obtain or maintain health insurance as set forth above;
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You misrepresent your insurance coverage; and/or
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You fail to maintain coverage for your J-2 dependents.
Therefore, Georgetown must refuse to issue any DS-2019 Forms for J-1 or J-2 visa holders who do not comply with the health insurance requirements. Whenever you require an extension, you must confirm that you have and continue to maintain the required health insurance.
Please note: The Georgetown University insurance plans offered to students and paid employees meet the requirements outlined above. J-1 visa holders who participate in these plans are in compliance with the regulations.