The U.S. Department of State requires that the exchange visitor obtain health, accident, medical evacuation and repatriation of remains insurance. The insurance policies must cover the exchange visitor and all accompanying dependents for the EV’s entire program duration as indicated on the DS-2019. Any exchange visitor who willfully refuses to comply with this requirement shall be considered to be in violation of his/her exchange visitor status. The program sponsor is obligated to inform the United States Department of State of the exchange visitor's noncompliance.
J-1 Exchange Visitors at UCLA are required to enroll in one of the following health insurance plans depending on their UCLA appointment title:
(A) Visiting Scholar Benefit Plan (VSBP)
J-1 Exchange Visitors at UCLA such as Visiting Scholars and Visiting Student Researchers (VGRs) are required to enroll in the Visiting Scholar Benefits Plan (VSPB) through Garnett-Powers & Associates. Scholars may begin the enrollment process only after receiving the DS-2019 form and within 31 days of the program start date. (Postdocs and employees receiving medical benefits through UCLA do not qualify for this plan).
Information regarding eligibility, requirements, enrollment and the waiver approval process can be found on the Garnett-Powers site at http://clients.garnett-powers.com/vs/ucla/ . VSBP enrollment confirmation will be sent to the J-1 visitor by email. Visitor must upload document through the online visa check-in application. Those approved for the waiver of VSBP, must also upload their waiver confirmation and proof of medical insurance they used to waive out of the plan.
The earliest you can begin the VSBP enrollment or waiver process is 31 days prior to the DS-2019 start date . You must first receive your DS-2019 form before enrolling or waiving.
(B) Postdoctoral Scholar Benefit Plan (PSBP)
Postdoctoral Scholars are required to enroll in the Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits Plan (PSBP). Information regarding eligibility, requirements, and enrollment process can be found on the Garnett-Powers site at https://clients.garnett-powers.com/pd/uc/ . Your UCLA academic department will assist you with enrollment when you arrive as part of the hiring process.
(C) UCLA Employee Medical Benefits
Your UCLA academic department will assist you with enrollment when you arrive as part of the hiring process. Medical benefits coverage for UCLA hired staff and faculty do not include the following:
- repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
- expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
Medical evacuation and repatriation of remains coverage may be purchased separately through BETiNS to fulfill the J-1 visa requirements.
The UC CORE plan does not meet the J-1 visa requirements at all due to the deductible amount.
If you are not sure of which category above you fall into, please contact your department for clarification.
Proof of enrollment in a health insurance plan is required for the online J-1 Visa Check-in Application. Refer to the PROOF OF HEALTH INSURANCE SAMPLE GUIDE to find out which types of documents DCISS can accept.