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Cornell University

International Services

Office of Global Learning

J-1 Health Insurance

  • For Faculty/Staff

As a J-1 exchange visitor, you must be covered by health and accident insurance during the entire length of your stay. This federal requirement also applies to your dependents with J-2 visas. 

Cornell offers health insurance plans that are available to many international scholars holding academic appointments. If you have questions about whether you’re eligible, reach out to your HR representative. For those ineligible for Cornell insurance, the university offers a group health insurance option through an external provider. 

On this page: Review a few basics about U.S. health insurance. Then learn about J-1 coverage requirements and where to find health and accident insurance that meets them.

U.S. Health Insurance Basics

Unlike many other countries, the United States does not have a national system of universal health care. Anytime you get medical care, someone has to pay for it.

Medical services are very expensive, and even people with insurance pay some costs out-of-pocket. Without insurance, a routine medical appointment may cost $300—not including lab work, imaging, or prescriptions. Ambulance rides, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations can run over $1,000—and often much higher, depending on the circumstances.

U.S. health insurance may work differently from the system you’re used to in your home country. Insurance is primarily private, and plans are often sponsored by employers as part of a benefits package. 

A few money matters to keep in mind:

  • You usually pay a small fixed fee, called a “copay,” at the time of service when you have a covered medical appointment or procedure. The copay varies based on your coverage, but under $50 is typical.
  • Depending on your plan, you may be required to pay up to 25 percent of the total covered per accident or illness. This is called “co-insurance.” This larger amount is usually billed after the service or procedure.
  • Your plan may provide lower benefits or deny coverage entirely if you use an “out-of-network” doctor (a provider who does not accept the plan). Always ask if your insurance is accepted before you make an appointment or agree to a procedure.
  • Certain kinds of elective medical care, such as eyeglasses and dentistry, are often not covered by insurance. Elective care can be very expensive, so you may prefer to handle any vision and dental needs before you leave home.

Coverage Requirements

As a J-1 exchange visitor, you and your J-2 dependents must have health and accident insurance during the entire length of your stay. When you complete your J-1 status activation, you'll be asked to attest that you have insurance coverage satisfying U.S. Department of State requirements. 

Coverage must begin no later than the program “begin date” on your DS-2019. We recommend that you start planning early to have your insurance in effect from the time you enter the U.S.

When shopping for insurance plans, make sure they meet the following minimum requirements for J-1 and J-2 visa holders:

  • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
  • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000*
  • Expenses associated with the medical evacuation to home country in the amount of $50,000*
  • Deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

*Many health insurance policies—including Cornell policies—may not include this feature. You may need to purchase repatriation and medical evacuation coverage separately. 

Your plan must not exclude coverage for “perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program.” This means injuries or risks reasonably associated with your job and workplace must be covered.

You Are Responsible for Your Coverage

You are independently responsible for ensuring your coverage meets U. S. Department of State requirements. You are also responsible for the cost of purchasing any necessary additional coverage for your program duration. International Services is unable to review individual health insurance plans to determine if they meet the federal requirements.

Intentional failure to comply with the coverage requirements or “making material misrepresentations” about your compliance can lead to termination of your J-1 program. Exchange visitors and dependents who are terminated must leave the United States immediately.

Maintain Your Coverage

Your J-1 status can only be extended beyond the end date on your DS-2019 if you have continuing insurance coverage that satisfies federal requirements. 

Insurance Options

Cornell Health Insurance

You may be eligible for a Cornell health insurance plan as a Cornell employee. Eligibility depends on the conditions of your academic appointment, so it’s important to consult with your department’s human resources or hiring manager as soon as you accept a job offer. You can find information about healthcare packages and general information about employee benefits in Working at Cornell.

If your position does not qualify for Cornell health insurance, read on for other options.

Negotiated External Plan: GeoBlue

Cornell’s negotiated plan with GeoBlue exceeds the U.S. Department of State’s minimum requirements, is accepted by Ithaca-area medical providers, and covers preexisting conditions. However, GeoBlue does not offer insurance plans for J-2 dependents. Find out how to access Cornell’s GeoBlue plan on the bottom of this webpage.

Be aware that International Services is not able to recommend GeoBlue without reservation at present. Some scholars complain about GeoBlue’s customer service and report high-stress waits for renewal as the expiration date approaches. 

Other Insurance Plans

Several insurance companies focus on international students, but also offer plans for J-1 exchange visitors. We can’t recommend specific health insurance plans or guarantee they will be accepted by local medical providers.

The following companies offer insurance plans that meet the minimum coverage requirements set by the U.S. Department of State. Please note that all insurance policies have limitations and exclusions.

Next Up: J-1 Physical Presence and Bars