Mandatory Health Insurance Requirement

The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations governing Exchange Visitor Programs (22CFR514.14) require that the exchange visitor and his/her dependent(s) obtain health, accident, medical evacuation and repatriation of remains insurance. A qualifying insurance policy MUST provide:

Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness

Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500

Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000

A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
The insurance policy must be underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of “A-“ or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-“ or above, a Standard & Poor’s Claims paying Ability of “A-“ or above, a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B+” or above, or such other rating services as the State Department may specify from time to time. Insurance coverage backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor’s home country shall be deemed to meet this requirement.

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 State Department of the exchange visitor’s noncompliance.

UCLA offers an easy option through the UCLA Visiting Scholar Injury and Sickness Program, administered by Garnett-Powers & Associates. Information regarding eligibility, requirements, enrollment and the waiver approval process can be found on the Garnett-Powers site at http://www.garnett-powers.com/academics/ucla/index.htm.