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

●Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;

●Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of exchange visitors to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000; and

●Deductibles not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

●May require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions that is reasonable as determined by current industry standards;( 12 mounths later)

●May include provisions for co-insurance under the terms of which the exchange visitor may be required to pay up to 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness; and

●Must not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which the exchange visitor participates.

Any policy, plan, or contract secured to fill the above requirements must, at a minimum, be:

●Underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of “A−” or above;

●a McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor's Claims-paying Ability rating of “A−” or above;

●a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B + ” or above;

●a Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of “A−” or above; a Moody's Investor Services rating of “A3” or above;

●or such other rating as the Department of State may from time to time specify; or

The U.S. government’s insurance requirements for J1 exchange visiting scholars link

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, has the full name Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

The ACA is a healthcare reform law designed to enhance the accessibility, affordability, and overall quality of healthcare in the United States.

The ACA mandates that all U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain specific residents must have health insurance that meets specific requirements throughout the year.

If you do not meet the following ACA requirements, the U.S. government requires you to sign up for PPACA insurance, otherwise you will pay a penalty when filing your tax return.

Non-U.S. Citizens: 

As nonresident aliens, international students, scholars, and persons (and certain family members) participating in cultural exchange programs on F, J, M, and Q visas are exempt from the individual mandate during their first five years in the United States. All other J categories (teachers, interns, work and travel, au pairs, high school, etc.) are not subject to a personal mandate if they have been in the United States for two of the past six years. Because international students are not subject to the individual mandate, they do not need to purchase an ACA-compliant plan and can purchase the Patriot Exchange Program.

U.S. Citizens:

Under the ACA, all U.S. citizens, nationals, and resident aliens are required to purchase minimum essential coverage (ACA-compliant coverage) unless exempted. Exempt U.S. citizens include U.S. citizens who have resided outside the United States for 330 days in any 365-day period, or have a tax seat (principal place of work or employment, or if you do not have a principal place of work or employment, your principal residence) in a foreign country, and are bona fide residents of foreign countries.

Our STAC provides J-1 and J-2 visa visiting scholars and their families in the United States with access to the largest U.S. medical network, UnitedHealthcare PPO (Preferred Provider Organizations):

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, STAC Corporation has made multiple changes to our insurance plans, and we are ready to provide protection for your future travels. The majority of international medical and travel insurance products offer benefits directly or indirectly related to COVID-19. All expenses incurred for the treatment of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 are covered under your plan just like any other illness outlined in your policy. When reviewing your plan, the terms and conditions, as well as marketing materials, will clearly indicate these benefits.