Page Contents
- UH Policy for J-1 International Students
- Health Insurance Requirements for J-1 Students
- Submitting Proof of Health Insurance to the ISS Office
- Key Health Insurance Terms to Know
- ACA Compliant Health Insurance: What J-1 Students Needs to Know
- How Health Insurance Works in the U.S.
- Health Insurance Options for J-1 Students
- J-1 Health Insurance Requirements FAQ
UH Policy for J-1 International Students
All J-1 students are required to maintain health insurance coverage that meets U.S. Department of State (DOS) standards for the entire duration of their J program, including any period spent outside the U.S. under J-1 or J-2 status. Maintaining compliant coverage J-1s a condition of maintaining lawful J-1 status.
Proof of acceptable health insurance must be submitted to the International Student Services (ISS) office prior to or upon arrival and must be maintained continuously—without interruption—throughout the J-1/J-2 program.
Health Insurance Requirements for J-1 Students
The U.S. Department of State requires all J-1 students to maintain health insurance that meets the following minimum coverage levels throughout their program:
| Coverage Types | Specific Level of Coverage |
|---|---|
| Medical Benefit | At least USD 100,000 per accident or illness |
| Repatriation of Remains | At least USD 25,000 |
| Medical Evacuation (to home country) | At least USD 50,000 |
| Deductible per accident or illness | At most USD 500 |
- May require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions which is reasonable under current industry standards;
- May include a provision for co-insurance, but, if included, must pay at least 75% of covered medical expenses.
Submitting Proof of Health Insurance to the ISS Office
All J-1 students must show proof of compliant health insurance coverage for self and dependent(s) in order to have the health insurance hold (IH) updated on their student record and to register for classes.
New Students
Submit proof of insurance as part of the ISS Immigration Course for new international students
Continuing Students
To update proof of health insurance coverage, complete the following:
Submit an ISS Request for Submit/Update J-1 Health Insurance
Acceptable documentation may vary depending on your specific insurance plan. Please refer to the options below to determine what qualifies as valid proof of insurance.
Key Health Insurance Terms to Know
When comparing health insurance plans, you may come across the following terms:
- Premium: The amount you pay regularly to maintain your health insurance policy.
- Deductible: The amount you must pay before your insurance begins to cover costs. This may apply per illness/accident or per policy period.
- Coinsurance: The percentage of costs you share with the insurance after the deductible is met (e.g., you pay 25%, the insurance pays 75%).
- Co-payment (Co-pay): A fixed dollar amount you pay for a service, regardless of the total cost.
- Covered Expense: A medical expense that is eligible for reimbursement under your plan.
- In-Network Provider: A doctor or hospital that partners with your insurance to offer discounted rates.
- Pre-existing Condition: A health issue for which you received treatment or advice before starting a new insurance plan.
ACA Compliant Health Insurance: What J-1 Students Needs to Know
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a U.S. federal law aimed at expanding access to quality, affordable health insurance. It includes a requirement—called the Individual Shared Responsibility Provision—that individuals must either:
- Have ACA-compliant (minimum essential) health coverage,
- Qualify for an exemption, or
- Pay a fee when filing their U.S. tax return.
J-1 students and their J-2 dependents may be subject to the ACA if they are considered resident aliens for tax purposes. In that case, they must either purchase an ACA-compliant plan or make a Shared Responsibility Payment. If they are nonresident aliens, they are not subject to the ACA. To determine residency for tax purposes, use the Substantial Presence Test.
For details, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HealthCare.gov.
How Health Insurance Works in the U.S.
You must purchase a health insurance plan that meets J-1 visa requirements for attending the University. Once enrolled, you’ll receive an insurance ID card to use when seeking medical care. Be sure to pay your insurance premiums as required—either by semester or annually—to maintain continuous coverage.
When you visit a doctor or hospital, they may either:
- Bill your insurance directly, or
- Ask you to pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement.
The insurance company will review the claim and either pay the provider directly or reimburse you, depending on your policy.
NOTE: Doctor offices or hospitals may or may not file claims on your behalf to your health insurance plan seeking payment for the cost of your medical visit.
- If the doctor/hospital files a claim for you, it means the doctor/hospital is willing to wait for payment of the cost of your doctor visit from your health insurance plan.
- If you must file your claim to your health insurance plan, it means that you will need to pay the total cost of the doctor visit at the time of your visit and you will need to wait for your health insurance plan to reimburse you the cost of your doctor visit, per the level of coverage in your health insurance plan.
Health Insurance Options for J-1 Students
ISS does not endorse or recommend any specific plan, but the below plans are some examples of health insurance plans that can provide coverage to international students. Students should carefully review each plan to select one that meets both his/her needs as well as any requirements.
Options are available from a UH approved provider but students may also select their own as long as they meet the requirements. Below are some applicable options in both categories. For the pre-screened health insurance plans, these plans appear to meet US Department of State Exchange Visitor Program (DOS/EVP) health insurance requirements. As ISS does not endorse or recommend any specific plan, the J-1 student and/or J-2 dependent should carefully review each plan to select one that meets both his/her needs as well as the DOS/EVP requirements.
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Health Insurance Plans
The University of Hawai'i has a student health insurance plan provided by HMSA, the BlueCross/Blueshield provider in Hawai'i. The plan is available for purchase by the semester to all students who meet the eligibility requirements. International students MUST buy Option 2 or 4 because these options provide medical evacuation and repatriation coverage.
UH Student Health Insurance Plan, Option 2 or 4
What do I need to submit to the ISS Office?
A J1 Student Health Insurance Provider Certification form signed by a representative of the health insurance company
Employees of the University of Hawai'i are eligible to purchase these plans.
The University of Hawai'i “Employee Union Trust Fund” (EUTF) webpage
Most employee health insurance plans, including EUTF, do not provide the required minimum coverage for repatriation and medical evacuation (RME). Therefore, if you are enrolled in an EUTF or similar employee plan, you must purchase separate RME insurance to meet J-1 visa requirements.
Here are a few supplemental repatriation and medical evacuation (RME) plan options:
- BETINS International Health & Travel Insurance Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Plans
- International Student Insurance Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Coverage
- International SOS Scholastic Travel or Global Traveler Plan
What do I need to submit to the ISS Office?
Because UH EUTF health insurance plans do not include required repatriation and medical evacuation (RME) coverage, you must show proof that you have enrolled in a separate RME insurance plan.
Your proof of coverage must include:
- The insurance company’s name
- Your full name (J-1)
- Names of each J-2 dependent (if applicable)
- Coverage amounts: $25,000 for repatriation and $50,000 for medical evacuation
- Start and end dates of the coverage
This documentation is required to meet U.S. DOS health insurance requirements for J-1 and J-2 visa holders.
Other Health Insurance Plans
For more information: 2025-2026 GeoBlue International Student Insurance Plan Information Sheet - PDF
What do I need to submit to the ISS Office?
A J1 Student Health Insurance Provider Certification form signed by a representative of the health insurance company.
Plan types: COMPASS Care, Elite, Benchmark, or Benchmark Plus.
COMPASS Benefits Group website
What do I need to submit to the ISS Office?
A J1 Student Health Insurance Provider Certification form signed by a representative of the health insurance company
Plan types: International Student & Scholar Medical Insurance Plan or International PLUS Student & Scholar Medical Insurance Plan.
What do I need to submit to the ISS Office?
A J1 Student Health Insurance Provider Certification form signed by a representative of the health insurance company
The University of Hawai'i health insurance policy allows international students to purchase other health insurance plans, as long as those plans offer at least the minimum level of coverage required by the U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Program. ISS does not recommend or endorse any specific provider. Students are encouraged to choose a plan that meets both U.S. government and University requirements, as well as their personal needs. Carefully review the plans to select one that meets your needs as well as DOS requirements.
What do I need to submit to the ISS Office?
A J1 Student Health Insurance Provider Certification form signed by a representative of the health insurance company
OR
A signed letter from the health insurance company printed on company letterhead that includes the following:
- The insurance company’s name
- Your full name (J-1)
- Names of each J-2 dependent (if applicable)
- Plan type (with information that shows plan meets the requirements for J-1 Health Insurance Coverage)
- Start and end dates of the coverage
J-1 Health Insurance Requirements FAQ
Medical treatment can be very confusing and expensive in the U.S. And because it is the responsibility of each person (not the U.S. government’s) to pay for his/her own health care, health insurance is required. Any time you seek medical advice or attention by visiting a doctor or hospital, you will be asked to show health insurance coverage. Furthermore, having adequate health insurance coverage is a requirement to maintain valid J-1 or J-2 visa status.
J-1 students must submit documentation of health insurance that meets minimum requirements of coverage (for the J-1 student and any J-2 dependents) in order to receive clearance to register for classes from the International Student Services Office (ISS). Please consult with the above section on health insurance options for the required documentation for your kind of coverage. To submit the documentations you will need to submit a Student Request to the ISS Office with Request type "J-1/J-2 Proof of Health Insurance" as well as follow the instructions on the Student Request page for how to transmit those documents to the ISS Office.