Sickness and Accident Insurance Requirement

The healthcare system in the United States is complex and often expensive.  In the interest of promoting a safe and healthy exchange experience, we require our sponsored visitors to have evidence of insurance in effect from the start date through the end date on your Training/Internship Placement Plan (DS-7002) before we will issue a Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019).  Note all exchange visitors and their dependents are responsible for ensuring they are covered by medical insurance from the day you arrive through the day you leave the United States, including the 30 day grace period before and after the training/internship program.

Any medical insurance policy secured for an exchange visitor must include:

• Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
• Medical evacuation expenses to the exchange visitor’s home country in the amount of $50,000
• A maximum deductible of $500 or less per accident or illness
• A co-payment requirement of no more than 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness
• Evidence of a reliable provider, including either an A.M. Best rating of ‘A-‘ or above, or a Standard and Poor's Claims Paying Ability rating of "A-" or above.

Envisage Global Insurance

The American Immigration Council partners with Envisage Global Insurance to provide you with J-1 compliant sickness and accident insurance through the International Medical Group (IMG).  This policy meets all of the minimum J visa requirements, but is not a comprehensive health care policy.

If you purchase insurance through the Council during the sponsorship application process, your coverage will extend from the dates listed on your “Arrival and Program Dates” section of Fluid Review and activated on arrival to the United States. Please review our "Know Before You Go" document before you arrive in the United States about our insurance coverage.

We advise current exchange visitors and dependents to print insurance cards online and keep them with you at all times.  Download your card by visiting Envisage Global Insurance participant zone and selecting ‘MyDocuments’ on the right-side navigation list.

If you are a J-1 or J-2 participant that has a medical issue and would like to use your IMG insurance policy, please review tips on seeking care before accessing regular medical care.  IMG is open 24/7 for emergency evacuation and pre-certification services.

Purchasing Additional Coverage

Every Fluid Review online account for current exchange visitors includes instructions and an option for purchasing additional insurance coverage:

To submit payment for new insurance coverage, go to our online payment form. Answer "Yes" to the question “Are you paying for a new application?” In the Insurance section, check for whom you are paying. Select the length of time for each J visa holder and the number of J-2 visa holders. Once you have completed the payment, forward the email confirmation to your J-1 Advisor and to [email protected].

To extend insurance or purchase new coverage for incoming J-2 dependents, go to our online payment form.   Answer "No" to the question “Are you paying for a new application?” In the Insurance section, check for whom you are paying. Select the length of time for each J visa holder and the number of J-2 visa holders. Once you have completed the payment, forward the email confirmation to your J-1 Advisor and to [email protected].