RESOURCES
Health Insurance Requirements for Individuals in F or J Visa Status
All students enrolled at Old Dominion University in F-1, J-1 or J-2 status must carry health insurance for themselves and all nonimmigrant dependents as a condition of their standing at the University. Failure to maintain health insurance will result in a registration hold and may be considered a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. There are no exceptions to this policy. The price for health insurance depends on the amount of coverage you have. The minimum requirements below detail what you need at the very least during your stay in the U.S.
When budgeting, calculate the following amounts for health insurance:
Students: $75-$100 per month
Dependents: $200-$250 per month
Required insurance coverage dates are as follows:
1 August 20XX through 31 December 20XX,
1 January 20XX through 31 May 20XX
and 1 June 20XX through 31 July 20XX.
You must have insurance through 31 July 20XX if you will not be going to your home country for the summer. If you are leaving the U.S., please see the Request for Insurance Exemption form at the bottom of this page.
Coverage must be bought in the preceding semester in order for your hold to be moved so you can register. Please allow our office two business days to move your hold once your proof of coverage is submitted.
Failure to submit the proof of coverage will result in the student being declared out of good standing, with the following consequences:
- A hold will be placed upon the student's record, barring any future registration or transcript release.
- Approval for any on-campus, off-campus, or practical training employment -- including graduate assistantships -- will terminate. The student's employer will be notified that the student must stop working immediately.
- Notification of the violation will be sent to the University's Hearing Officer for possible disciplinary action.
Approved insurance policies must meet minimum requirements as specified below. (This is a University requirement for students and dependents in F status, as well as students, scholars and dependents in J status.)
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The health insurance plan will provide benefits for treatment that is medically necessary as a result of most accidents or illnesses, allowing specific exclusions and limitations as identified in the insurance policy.
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Expenses incurred as a result of pregnancy are treated the same as any other illness and payable up to the policy maximum.
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The insurance policy may not discriminate according to age or sex.
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The maximum benefit for covered medical expenses will be at least $100,000 per covered accident or illness. A lifetime limit of $100,000 will not satisfy this requirement.
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Expense incurred at Student Health Services will be payable at 100% without a deductible.
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Outpatient prescription drugs must be covered at 100% after a deductible/co-pay of no more than $25. Note: Prescription drugs dispensed through the Student Health Center will be covered at 100%, including oral contraceptives.
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The policy CANNOT limit benefits for services such as inpatient/outpatient surgery, daily hospital room and board, x-rays, labs, CT scans and other miscellaneous services.
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The company must include a local and a national PPO network which includes the major local hospitals and adequate physician access within most specialties.
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Medical evacuation coverage must be at least $25,000 per accident or sickness during all periods of coverage.
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Repatriation of remains must be at least $15,000 per accident or sickness during all periods of coverage
- The insurance must include accidental death benefits of at least $15,000.
- The insurance company secured must have a financial rating of A- or above from A.M. Best.
- The insurance policy must comply with all Commonwealth of Virginia mandates for group health insurance plans.
- All non-employer insurance policies must be filed and approved for sale in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- The insurance company must be licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- An English-language brochure must be provided which accurately reflects the coverage that meets these guidelines.
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