Health insurance from Illinois State University
For your safety, we strongly suggest that you use Illinois State University’s student health insurance during your time in the U.S. This plan meets all the U.S. Department of State’s mandatory insurance requirements for J-1 Visa holders and is inexpensive compared to similar plans. ISU’s health insurance is automatically billed to all students who are enrolled full-time. Please view information about ISU student insurance to read more about the plan.
If you decide to use insurance from home, you will be required to sign a waiver and present information regarding home insurance coverage (proving it provides equal or greater coverage when compared to ISU insurance) at the start of each semester in order to cancel your ISU insurance. Make sure to bring this detailed health insurance information in English (like a policy plan or brochure detailing the coverage) with you. For more information about canceling your ISU insurance, visit the Keep or Cancel page of the student health insurance website.
You can use your own health insurance if it meets the J-1 requirements. Contact Student Health Insurance for more information.
J-1 Visa holders Department of State (DOS) requirements
Exchange visitors are required by the DOS to have very specific types of medical insurance for the entire length of their stay. Since this is an immigration law, all J-1 students must have the necessary insurance, or they will not be allowed to attend their program. Should a student choose to use insurance from home, the policy must abide by these rules in order to be compliant:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Medical evacuation coverage—$50,000 is the minimum coverage allowed (to pay for transportation back to home country, or elsewhere, in the event of serious illness or injury)
- Repatriation of remains coverage—$25,000 is the minimum coverage allowed (to pay for transportation back to home country in the event of death)
- Deductible should not be more than $500
- Pre-existing conditions coverage at start of policy or within a reasonable waiting time
- Co-payment that does not exceed 25% co-pay by the exchange visitor and/or does not exclude benefits for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange visitor’s program
- Must be underwritten by an insurance company with a specific rating
- Please view our Health Insurance page for more details.
Immunization records
All students admitted to Illinois State University are required, by Illinois law, to provide immunization records. Immunization requirements are detailed on the Student Health Services website. Immunization records can be submitted prior to arrival through the Student Health Services secure web form. Health Services will work with you if any immunizations are missing. You will be required to have a tuberculosis (TB) screening within 10 days of your arrival on campus.