J-1 Health Insurance Requirements

If you are a J-1 student pursuing degree studies or studying at Tufts as a J-1 exchange student, you are required to enroll in Tufts's student health insurance plan.

• J-1 exchange students studying at Tufts University under a program sponsored by the Office of Global Education must enroll in the Tufts student health insurance plan and are not eligible to seek a student health insurance waiver. The Tufts student health insurance plan satisfies the J-1 visa insurance requirements.
• Other J-1 students must enroll in Tufts's student health insurance plan or enroll in a plan that meets not only Tufts's comparable coverage requirements but also J-1 visa requirements. You will need to talk to your insurance provider to see that both Tufts's and J-1 visa requirements are satisfied.

This information is for J-1 scholars who are employed by Tufts University in positions that are eligible for benefits, including health and dental insurance. If you are eligible for benefits, your department should schedule an orientation with the Human Resources soon upon your arrival.

IMPORTANT:

• If you are eligible for health insurance benefits through Tufts, but choose not to participate in any of the plans offered, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that you obtain insurance coverage which meets the J-1 health insurance requirements. Tufts-provided insurance benefits should NOT be waived without consulting with the International Center.
• Postdoctoral associates and fellows are offered a separate health benefits package. For questions on this type of package, contact the Student Advisory and Health Administration (120 Posner Hall, 200 Harrison Avenue). They can be reached at 617-636-2700 for questions.
• The insurance plan offered to postdoctoral associates & postdoctoral fellows by Tufts meets all of the J-1 Health Insurance Requirements, including "Repatriation of Remains" and "Medical Evacuation." Repatriation of Remains and Medical Evacuation coverage is only for those J-1 scholars who are eligible for benefits and who have enrolled in one of the benefits insurance companies offered by Tufts.

This information does not apply to Tufts University scholars who are self-funded or Tufts Medical Center-sponsored scholars.

If you are a J-1 scholar who will NOT be employed by Tufts, or are employed in a position that is not eligible for health insurance benefits through Tufts, you are required to obtain or purchase an insurance plan that meets or exceeds J-1 insurance requirements. Failure to obtain adequate insurance will lead to termination of your J-1 status. As a result, please be prepared to verify your insurance coverage upon arrival at Tufts University.