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Exchange Visa Insurance Reviews, Features, and Benefits
Exchange Visa insurance plans are intended for exchange scholars on J1 visa seeking coverage while studying or participating in an exchange program in the US. The United States Department of State has a set of minimum insurance requirements for J1 & J2 visa without which the visa might not be granted. J1 and J2 (dependents) both are required to meet the same minimum insurance requirements per the US Department of State. It is imperative that you have the insurance for the entire time that you may be in the US on the Exchange visa. Sometimes along with these requirements the sponsoring organization may have additional insurance requirements for exchange students on J1 and J2 visa’s. So, please check if your sponsor (school, university or work-exchange organization) indeed has special requirements.
Once purchased, J1 visa health insurance coverage can begin on the date one specifies, as early as the next day. No medical tests are required to apply for these plans. If the sponsoring organization requires a waiver form to be completed our experienced service team can complete the form and send to the Exchange Visa sponsoring organization.
The benefit overviews and exchange visa insurance reviews below can help you understand the insurance features and also find the coverage option that makes sense for you. Read on to understand the best J-1 visa exchange scholar insurance in the USA.
Benefits required for the J1-J2 visa
As per the US government (22 CFR 62.14), the following minimum benefits should be in place:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of remains of at least $ 25,000
- $50,000 in expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
Plan to be underwritten by an insurance corporation with:
- An A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above, or
- An Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-I” or above, or
- A Standard and Poor’s Claims Paying Ability rating of “A-” or above, or
- A Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above.
How to Apply for Exchange Visa Insurance
Complete the quote form above to see plans catered to your specific needs.
Compare insurance plans, considering pricing, coverage amount, benefits, and exclusions.
Purchase a plan from one of our trusted insurance providers.
Check your email for Insurance documents.
Key Benefits for an J1 Exchange Visa Health Insurance
It is important to understand the key benefits that an exchange visa insurance requires and understanding how to choose the best-in-class benefits for an J visa scholar is important as it is a requirement to obtain and maintain the J visa. Be sure that the plan you choose covers these key benefits. The plan should have medical coverage for in-patient as well as out-patient for illnesses and injuries without any sub limits. Repatriation of remains and medical evacuation should be a covered benefit.
The best J1 exchange visa insurance will cover you for inpatient (hospitalization and surgeries) and outpatient (doctor visits, Urgent Care visits) medical benefits, medical evacuation and repatriation insurance ambulance, prescription drugs and more. Also, look for plans that cover sudden onset of a pre-existing condition or have a waiting period for pre-existing conditions. It is important to see if the plan is renewable for the number of years you are in the exchange program.
Exchange Visitor Visa Insurance Features
Policy Limits for Medical (Hospitals & Doctors)
Choose from various options of $100,000; $250,000 or $500,000 per injury or sickness. The US government requires at least $100,000 per injury sickness.
Deductible
Options include $0, $50 and $100 per injury and sickness. The deductible is often waived or reduced for treatment at a Student Health Center.
Direct Billing
Direct billing is possible via PPO networks. Plans are associated with different nation-wide networks of doctors and hospitals.
Evacuation Benefits
Evacuation coverage to take insured to the nearest medical facility varies with plan. $50,000 is the minimum needed to comply with requirements.
Repatriation
Coverage varies with plan. Most plans pay up to $25,000 for return of mortal remains or up to $5000 for local cremation/burial.
Ratings
All plans are rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best. This meets the State Department requirement.
Understanding the Features for an Exchange Visa Insurance
| Feature | What does it mean? | J1 – J2 visa requirement | Plan Name | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Coverage | Per Injury Sickness | Also known as Per incident or Per Accident or Illness;The benefit amounts apply to each individual sickness or injury.For every new incident you get a new coverage.The overall limit still remains. | The requirement states that medical policy provides a minimum of $100,000 per accident or illness. | Patriot Exchange, Study USA, Student Health Advantage |
| Policy Maximum | This is the maximum amount in $ that the insurance will cover you in the event you need medical treatment. | The requirement states that you have a minimum of $100.000 per incident coverage. You are free to choose anything higher than this amount but not lower. | ||
| Type Of Plan | Fixed/Limited Benefits | Benefits for hospitalization, intensive care, surgery, prescription drugs etc. have defined sub-limits. In the event you must use the policy, the Out of pocket is unknown till you get the bills | This type of coverage typically does not meet the requirement as it has various sub-limits on the benefits. | Visitors Care, Safe Travels Elite |
| Comprehensive | Good coverage; Plan pays up to the chosen policy maximum once the insured meets the deductible and coinsurance. | Meets the J visa requirement. A comprehensive plan will reduce your risk and is a better option to consider. | Study USA, Patriot Exchange Atlas Travel, Student Health Advantage | |
| Medical Evacuation | Emergency transportation from the Hospital or medical Facility where you are located to a non-local Hospital or medical Facility following the recommendation by the attending Physician who certifies,to a reasonable medical certainty, that the Insured Person cannot be treated locally and needs immediate medical attention. | Emergency transportation from the Hospital or medical Facility where you are located to a non-local Hospital or medical Facility following the recommendation by the attending Physician who certifies, to a reasonable medical certainty, that the Insured Person cannot be treated locally and needs immediate medical attention. The requirement states that the insurance should cover $50,000 in expenses associated with the medical evacuation. If the plan provides a higher limit that is alright however the insurance cannot have an amount lower than the required coverage amount. | Study USA, Patriot Exchange Atlas Travel, Student Health Advantage | |
| Repatriation of Remains | Also referred to as Return of Mortal Remains is the return of bodily remains or ashes of an Insured Person. | The requirement states that the insurance policy should have at least $25,000 for Repatriation of remains. | Study USA, Patriot Exchange Atlas Travel, Student Health Advantage | |
| Deductible | This is the first amount that the insured pays before the insurance policy starts paying for the eligible expenses. The deductible can be an annual deductible or a per incident deductible. If the deductible is per incident, the insured will have to pay the deductible for every new incident. | The requirement states that you can not have a deductible higher that $500 per incident. If the insurance policy has a lower deductible (e.g. $0, $100 etc.) it is fine but cannot have a deductible higher than $500 per incident. | ||
| Insurance Rating | Insurance company ratings focus on the future ability of a company to pay its customers’ claims. You will find most of the insurance plans are rated by A.M Best, or Standard and Poor. | The requirement states that the insurance policy should have A- or above rating by A.M or “A-I” or above by Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) or of “A-” or above, by A Standard and Poor’s or B+ by Weiss Research, Inc. | Study USA, Patriot Exchange Atlas Travel, Student Health Advantage | |
Exchange Visa Insurance Plan Reviews
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Victoria Zyulina
Very nice and fast customer service available from any parts of the world.
Highly recommended!
A Look at Exchange Visa Insurance Popular Plans
Which plan makes fits your requirement? Let’s take a look at the top plans and see what people are saying about the coverages, features, benefits, and overall customer experience.
Patriot Exchange Insurance
$47 / mo for a 24 year old with $100,000 plan maximum and $500 deductible- Policy Maximum choice of $50K, $250K, $500K per injury or sickness
- $100 deductible per injury or sickness
- 100% coverage after deductible
- Coverage Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains
- Student Health Center $5 co-pay per visit
- Pre-existing conditions coverage available to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens (limited to $500 a year with $50,000 lifetime maximum after 12 months of continuous enrollment)
- Optional Adventure sports rider
Patriot Exchange Insurance is an affordable and comprehensive student medical insurance plan that provides coverage to students traveling outside their country of residence. The plan offers per incident coverage. After the deductible, Patriot Exchange pays 100% up to the policy maximum. It’s also renewable and cancellable (full refunds are offered before coverage date begins).
Highlights:
- Comprehensive medical insurance for participants of cultural exchange programs
- Meets the J visa insurance requirements
- After the deductible, 100% coverage up to chosen policy maximum for eligible expenses.
- Optional extreme sports travel coverage.
- All claims handled in the United States
- Plan be renewed a minimum of (5) days for a maximum of 48 continuous months
Limitations
- Available only till age of 64 years
- No coverage for pregnancy
Additional Ratings
- Rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best
- Great customer feedback online
Atlas Travel Insurance
Atlas Travel Insurance is a comprehensive insurance for students designed to provide medical coverage for students while traveling outside their home country. Students who are non-US citizens can consider the Atlas America plan for coverage in the US while students who are US citizens or non US citizens needing coverage outside the US can consider the Atlas International insurance. This insurance covers the acute onset of pre-existing conditions within predefined limits. Within the PPO network, and after the deductible, Atlas covers 100% up to the policy max for injuries or illness covered in the plan. The plan can be purchased by students who are on an OPT status.
The Highlights:
- Coverage for medical illnesses and injuries
- Cancelable and refundable if there are no claims
- Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions for up to 2,000,000 for those under 70 years of age
- Coverage for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
- Claims handled in the USA
Limitations
- Coverage limited to 364 days; however, the policy is renewable
- Emergency room coverage has limitations
- Pre-existing condition coverage is limited to acute onset and must be treated
Additional Ratings
- Rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s
- Great customer feedback online
ATLAS AMERICA
$73 / mo For a 35-year-old with $100,000 plan maximum- Hospitalization, ER, Dr. Office Visits, Prescription Drugs
- Coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions
- Coverage for 5 days to 364 days
- $15 co-pay for Urgent Care
- Coverage for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
- Brochure
Study USA Insurance
$47 / mo for a 24 year old with $100,000 plan maximum and $500 deductible- Policy Maximum choice of $100K, $300K, $500K per injury or sickness
- Coverage for Repatriation, Medical Evacuation
- Choose from 4 options: Basic, Standard, Preferred, Platinum
- $25 to $250 in network deductible depending on the option
- Dental coverage with Preferred and Platinum options
- Optional Intercollegiate, Interscholastic, Intramural or Club Sports on the Platinum
- COVID-19 coverage (Plus, Preferred and Platinum plans only)
- Maternity Care for Covered Pregnancy on Standard, Preferred, Platinum
Study USA Insurance
Study USA is an affordable and comprehensive student medical insurance plan that provides coverage to students traveling outside their country of residence. The plan offers per incident coverage. You are eligible for the plan as a J-1 visa exchange student. You can stay on the plan up to maximum of 4 years as long as you meet the requirement. The plan has a choice of coverage levels based on your needs and budget. Study USA insurance plan meets the requirements of the J visa insurance.
Highlights:
- Comprehensive medical insurance for Illness and Medical Expense Protection
- Choice of coverage levels for your needs and budget.
- COVID-19 coverage (Plus, Preferred and Platinum plans only)
- Emergency Health Care
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
- All claims handled in the United States
- From 30 to 364 consecutive days of coverage, renewable for up to 4 years.
Limitations
- Not all options offer coverage for Dental
- Excludes drug and alcohol abuse
Additional Ratings
- Rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best
- Great customer feedback online
J1 Exchange Visa Insurance review FAQ
“Per incident” or “Per injury or illness” means that for the benefit amounts apply to individual sickness or injury. “Per period of coverage” or “per plan life” means that the benefit amount that you receive will apply to any claims you make throughout the policy period.
Firstly, you must understand what insurance requirements you have as a J visa holder. You also should confirm if the sponsoring organization has any other requirement for insurance that you have to meet other than the standard J visa insurance requirements. It is always a good idea to look at the brochure for the plan you are considering. The brochure will state the benefits as well as the benefit amounts. You can also Call US and one of our agents can confirm a plan that can meet all your requirements.
The application will need the following information of the J visa scholar: name, date of birth, residence address and email address to send the insurance documents. If you have a passport number, you can enter it. A valid credit card will be required to complete the purchase.
Immediately after submitting the application, an email will be sent to the email address provided on the application which will include links to download the ID card, Visa Letter, and Certificate wording.