Health Insurance Requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors
Cornell University requires that you have a medical insurance policy protecting you and your family in the event of a major illness or injury. U.S. Government regulations also mandate that all exchange visitors (J-1 visa holders) and their dependents (J-2) must have health and accident insurance in order to participate in Cornell's Exchange Visitor Program. In addition, federal regulations prohibit an extension of your J-1 status beyond the dates on the IAP-66 form without proof that you have maintained insurance for yourself and all family members during your entire length of stay in the U.S. as an exchange visitor. Students/Scholars and their families may substitute a comparable external insurance plan for the Cornell plan, if it meets the minimum coverage requirements outlined below.
MINIMUM LEVEL OF INSURANCE COVERAGE REQUIRED
- medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
- a deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
- repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
- expenses associated with the medical evacuation to home country in the amount of $10,000
If you have external insurance for yourself and your family which meets the above four requirements, you must bring written evidence of such coverage to the ISSO (International Students & Scholars Office) upon arrival to Cornell (new scholars only) or before an extension of J-1 status can be prepared (continuing scholars). The evidence must include documentation from your insurance company which shows the beginning and ending dates of coverage, the above four minimum requirements, and coverage for any dependents you have with you in the U.S. If your policy is not written in English, please also bring in a translation (your own translation is permissible) of the relevant portions. If the amounts of coverage are not stated in US dollars, please calculate the conversion.
Please note: In the United States certain kinds of elective medical care, such as eyeglasses or dentistry are ordinarily NOT covered by insurance and can be very expensive. Exchange Visitors should take care of those needs before leaving home.
Scholars: Cornell has a medical insurance plan that most exchange visitors (not all) with academic appointments for a semester or longer may join. Eligibility depends on the conditions of your appointment. Staff members in an endowed college should contact Employee Benefits, Office of Human Resources (130 Day Hall) for further information. Salaried (those paid through the Cornell payroll system) staff members coming to a statutory college should contact Statutory Benefits (B-22 Mann Library) for further information. The statutory plan does not become effective until 42 days after commencing employment. You are required to make alternative plans to ensure required coverage for your entire visit if Cornell does not provide insurance for you. Arrangements for this coverage can be made using private insurance programs. Staff members in statutory colleges who are NOT on payroll or who received payment by voucher, are NOT eligible for statutory benefits. Contact either the Employee Benefits Office at Cornell or a private insurance company for further information. Arrangements for family insurance can also be made through the same offices. Premiums vary greatly.
Students: All Cornell students are automatically charged for insurance on their Bursar's bill. The annual cost is not included in tuition, assistantships, or fellowships.
Arrangements for family insurance can be made at the insurance office in Gannett Health Center. Family members must enroll within 30 days of arrival in the U.S., or they will NOT be eligible to enroll. Please note verification of date of arrival to the U.S. may be required.