JMU's Policy on Mandatory Health Insurance

JMU has a policy which requires certain students to maintain health insurance coverage throughout their stay at JMU. This is due to the high cost of health care in the United States and is done to protect both the student and JMU. In addition, the federal government has mandated that anyone present in the U.S. on a J visa maintain specified levels of health insurance throughout his/her stay. For additional information, please see http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/sponsors/how-to-administer-a-program/administration.html#insurance

JMU offers all students coverage through a policy which satisfies the government requirements. The fee for this insurance is posted to your student account and, when paid, automatically enrolls you for insurance coverage. For an insurance card which you can use at visits to doctors, please see staff at ISSS.

For faculty and staff on J-1 visas: Please verify with your department whether or not you are covered by employee health insurance. If not, it is your responsibility to seek out and obtain insurance. Staff at ISSS will be happy to assist you in this need.

For anyone present with dependant family members: If you are in J status you are required to maintain insurance for your entire family. If you are in other nonimmigrant status we strongly recommend that you maintain insurance even though it will seem like a big additional expense. Sickness and accident care will cost even more! Please see staff at ISSS for assistance with locating insurance coverage for your family.

Waiver of School Insurance: If you currently hold an insurance policy which will cover you for your entire stay at JMU at the same levels that the school's policy will cover, you may be exempt from the requirement of paying for the policy supported by JMU. If you wish to apply for a waiver, you must complete an Insurance Waiver Form (found here) and return it to ISSS along with copies of your current policy with English translations and verification of sufficient benefits.