Students on F-1 status are required to purchase student health insurance.  Students must show the staff at the Student Health Center an insurance card or an online confirmation of enrollment, and a copy of the health insurance policy.  Your policy must show a U.S. address and contact number.  It will enable the hospital billing to assist in filing a hospital claim.  If you have a U of U Student Plan, a copy of your policy is not required.  Please make sure that your policy meets or exceeds the following minimum requirements: 

     1.  Minimum coverage of $50,000.00 per policy year.

     2.  Minimum of $10,000 repatriation and medical evacuation insurance.

     3.  An annual deductible no greater than $250.00.

     4.  Coverage of 80% or more (80/20 coinsurance).

     5.  A United States carrier or contact office within the U.S.

All international students will be screened here in the United States to see if your home country has a high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB). If your country has a high prevalence of TB, you will be required to receive a TB test. The test is $9.  Please note that the TB test, and chest x-ray (if it is required) must be taken here in the United States.

EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM (J-1) HEALTH INSURANCE REGULATIONS

The U.S. Department of State regulations require all those in J-1 and J-1 immigration status to carry health insurance throughout their presence in the United States.

This requirement can be met by any of the following options:

1. The University of Utah sponsoring department provides insurance coverage as part of the salary and benefit package offered to the exchange visitor.
2. The individual scholar purchases insurance coverage.
3. A sponsoring government or agency provides insurance coverage.

The health insurance must meet the following criteria and provide the following benefits:

1. Pays up to $50,000 per accident or illness.
2. Has a deductible of no more than $500.
3. Covers the cost of medical evacuation up to $10,000.
4. Covers the cost of repatriation up to $7,500.
5. Covers pre-existing conditions after a reasonable waiting period.
6. Includes provision for co-payment not exceeding 25% payment by exchange visitor.
7. Coverage for activities inherent to the exchange program.
8. In addition to the standards for coverage, the regulations also set forth quality rating standards for acceptable policies. Such policies must be underwritten by a company rated:
   • “A” by A. M. Best or Insurance Solvency International; or
   • “AA” by Standard & Poor’s; or
   • “B+” by Weiss Research, Inc.
   Coverage backed up by the exchange visitor’s home country government is exempt from the rating requirement. In this case, your government may issue or underwrite the insurance coverage and your policy description will indicate government backing. In the case of a non-U.S. health insurance, proof of this accreditation must be presented in English, along with complete documentation that the policy benefits listed above are covered.

Failure to maintain such health insurance for exchange visitors and their dependents through the duration of the program participation will be considered a violation of J-1 status and will result in termination of the program.