If you experience a medical emergency while in the U.S., always dial 911.
The Department of State and J-1 visa regulations 22 CFR 62.14 require all Exchange Visitors and accompanying J-2 dependents to be covered by adequate health and accident insurance for the program duration. Failure to carry adequate insurance may lead to termination of your J-1 status.
The student health insurance provided by USC Student Health meets the State Department requirements listed below:
Minimum Coverage Requirements
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000*
- Medical evacuation to home country in the amount of $50,000*
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
Additional Requirements
An insurance policy secured to meet the benefits requirements must be underwritten by an insurance corporation with one of the following ratings:
- Underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of “A−” or above; a McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor’s Claims-paying Ability rating of “A−” or above; a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B+” or above; a Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of “A−” or above; a Moody’s Investor Services rating of “A3” or above; or such other rating as the Department of State may from time to time specify; or
- Backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the Exchange Visitor’s home country; or
- Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor; or
- Offered through or underwritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization or eligible Competitive Medical Plan as determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Duration of CoverageThe period of required coverage is the actual duration of the Exchange Visitor’s participation in the sponsor’s Exchange Visitor program as recorded in SEVIS in the “Program Start Date” the “Program End Date”.
J-1 Non-Degree Students: If you are a non-degree student in a Direct Exchange Program and registered for classes full-time, you will be enrolled in the USC student health insurance plan which meets all DoS requirements.
Health Insurance and Immunization Requirements
Please visit the international student section on the USC Student Health website for information on the following:
- Student health insurance
- Immunizations requirements
Questions? Contact USC Student Health by email at studenthealth@usc.edu or by phone at (213) 740-9355.