To maintain a legal immigration status in the United States, J-1 scholars and J-2 dependents are required to enroll in a health insurance plan that both meets Ohio State’s and the U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) health insurance requirements for the entire stay. As your host, Ohio State must report on your compliance with the immigration regulations. To participate in Ohio State’s J-1 program, you must enroll in a health insurance plan described below. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in an immigration status violation and require Ohio State to end your J-1 program, necessitating you to depart the United States.
Ohio State’s J-1 program guidelines require you to select a health insurance plan offered by one of three insurance providers as follows, with few exceptions (see the Exception Request section for more details). Note that eligibility to enroll in any of the plans depends on employment or non-employment status in the United States, but each provider offers a selection of plan options at different prices based on the level of insurance coverage. The Office of International Affairs advises you to review the plans carefully and gather additional information as needed to select the best plan for you and your family’s circumstances.
The three provider names and plans are:
- Gallagher Accident and Sickness Plans
- Ohio State Plans*
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital Plans*
*A supplemental insurance plan, called Emergency Travel Assistance, is required for medical evacuation and repatriation coverage for those on Ohio State and Nationwide Children’s Hospital plans. See more information below.
Gallagher Accident and Sickness Plans
All J-1 scholars, regardless of employment status, are eligible to enroll in one of these plans. However, these plans are designed for J-1 scholars not employed in the United States.
- You can select from four plan options that meet DOS health insurance regulations, including medical evacuation and repatriation coverage
- Their materials use the term “student,” but these plans are for J-1 scholars
- You must use this link for enrollment because these plans are offered only to Ohio State J-1 scholars and are not found on the company’s general website
- Enroll in the plan before or immediately after you arrive in the United States
- If you want dental and vision insurance coverage, you may voluntarily enroll in Gallagher’s supplemental dental and vision insurance plans, which are not required by the immigration regulations
Ohio State Plans
If you are employed by Ohio State, you are eligible to enroll in an employer-based health insurance plan.
- Contact your host department about the insurance benefits based on your employment
- In rare situations, you may be responsible for the entire cost of the monthly insurance premium. If so, we suggest you consider one of the Gallagher Accident and Sickness Plans.
- The Ohio State Plans offer comprehensive coverage, but you must also purchase and enroll in supplemental health insurance, Emergency Travel Assistance, to obtain the required medical evacuation and repatriation coverage because only domestic employees are covered under the Ohio State Plans and not international employees.
- Be sure to follow the enrollment instructions from Ohio State and your host department
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Plans
If you are employed by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, you are eligible to enroll in an employer-based health insurance plan.
- Contact your host department about the insurance benefits based on your employment
- In rare situations, you may be responsible for the entire cost of the monthly insurance premium. If so, we suggest you consider one of the Gallagher Accident and Sickness Plans.
- The NCH Plans offer comprehensive coverage, but you must also purchase and enroll in supplemental health insurance, Emergency Travel Assistance, to obtain the required medical evacuation and repatriation coverage because only domestic employees are covered under the Ohio State Plans and not international employees.
- Be sure to follow the enrollment instructions from NCH and your host department
Exception Request
You may be eligible to enroll in a health insurance plan not listed above if your situation fits one of the following:
- You are financially sponsored by your home government and are provided with an insurance plan with a U.S. health insurance carrier
- Your spouse has a U.S. health insurance plan through their employer, and you are eligible to enroll in it
- You are ineligible for an employer-based insurance plan but want more comprehensive insurance coverage than in the Gallagher Accident and Sickness Plans
- Contact oiainsurance@osu.edu for additional help and information
Follow these instructions to be considered for an Exception Request:
- Email oiainsurance@osu.edu with “J-1 Health Insurance Exception Request” as the subject
- Provide a brief explanation of your eligible situation
- Attach a copy of the plan policy or plan benefits information
Important advice regarding medical costs, dependents and pregnancy
Medical costs in the United States can be expensive, so please be aware of the following:
- Even with comprehensive health insurance coverage, not all medical services are covered. Contact the insurance provider if you have questions regarding coverage.
- Be prepared to pay for part of your health care services and prescription drugs. Note that sometimes the costs can be significant.
Dependent family members may come with you or visit, so consider the following factors:
- The B-2 tourist status may be preferable rather than coming on the J-2 dependent
- Those in the B-2 status are not subject to the same health insurance requirements
- Providing proof of funding for the B-2 status is less costly
If you or your J-2 dependent spouse becomes pregnant during your stay, consider:
- Selecting a health insurance plan that covers costs related to pregnancy and childbirth
- Not all insurance plans cover these expensive costs, so look at the policies
- If conception occurs before arrival in the United States, it will be considered a “pre-existing” condition, and some insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, resulting in you having to pay all costs
Disclaimer
This information cannot cover every situation, and the information and insurance policies may change. If you have additional questions, email oiainsurance@osu.edu.