Health Insurance
Medical care in the United States is very expensive. Even healthy people can get unexpectedly sick or injured. Students, scholars and/or their dependents might need to see a specialist, take prescription medication, or go to the hospital. Medical bills can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars. Having health insurance gives students, scholars and their dependents access to medical care and helps them focus on the reason they are at Emory.
Review the Students and Scholars sections (below) for more information about health insurance requirements and options specific to each population. Additionally, the US health care system and medical insurance is complex and difficult to navigate for some international students and scholars. Review the US Health Insurance Terms section (below) for definitions to common and important health insurance terminology:
For help locating and understanding the differences between healthcare providers in the US, visit ISSS' Locating Health Care Services page.
All Emory students are required to carry health insurance. For more information, visit Emory Student Health's Health Insurance Requirement page. Emory Student Health also has a FAQ page with answers to frequently asked questions.
Students have two health insurance choices:
- Sign up for the Emory Student Health Insurance Plan; or
- Purchase another insurance plan that meets Emory's requirements and complete an online waiver.
The Emory plan exceeds the federal requirements for J-1 students.
Emory encourages all international scholars and visitors arriving under partnership agreements to purchase and maintain health insurance due to the high cost of healthcare in the United States. Health insurance that meets the Department of State's minimum requirements is a legal requirement for J-1 exchange visitors.
For Emory employees, the university offers three insurance plans through Aetna and Kaiser Permanente. Visit Human Resource's Medical Coverage page for more information on Emory's healthcare benefits.
J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents are required to maintain valid health insurance that meets the Department of State's minimum requirements. J-1 scholars who are eligible for Emory employee insurance must select the Emory Aetna POS plan or the Kaiser Permanente plan, in order to meet the Department of State requirements. Exchange visitors who are not benefits eligible must obtain alternative insurance. All J-1 scholars are required to report their health insurance coverage to ISSS. For more information, visit ISSS' J-1/J-2 Health Insurance Requirements page.
Below are definitions for common and important health insurance terms:
- Claim: A written request from the insured individual to the insurance company for payment of medical expenses that are covered under the insurance policy.
- Co-Payment: The portion of a covered medical expense—after the deductible is paid—that must be paid by the insured individual. The co-payment may be a specific dollar amount or it may be expressed as a percentage of the covered amount.
- Covered Expense: Any expense that is partially or completely paid by the insurance policy.
- Deductible: The initial portion of the covered medical expense that must be payed by the insured person before the insurance policy pays any part of the medical expense.
- Exclusion: Any condition or expense that is not covered or payed by the insurance policy.
- Fee for Service: The doctor, clinic, or other medical professional expects the charge to be paid at the time the medical service is provided.
- Insurance Card: A card that is provided by the insurance company. It shows the name of the insured individual, the policy number, and the contact information for claims and insurance questions. This card must be presented when medical treatment or service is requested.
- Insurance Policy: A written contract that defines the coverage, exclusions, eligibility requirements, benefits, and conditions that apply to the individual insured under the insurance plan.
- Insurance Premium: The amount money paid for a specific insurance coverage or policy. Depending the policy agreement, the premium may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.
- Lapse in Coverage: A break in insurance coverage, usually a result from not paying the insurance premium.
- Out-of-Pocket Maximum: The most the insured individual pays for medical treatment or service that is covered by the insurance policy.
- Pre-Existing Condition: A medical condition that existed before an insurance policy was purchased.
- Referral: A written recommendation by one health care provider to another.
- Renewal (of insurance policy): The payment of the insurance premium to continue coverage when the initial policy period has expired or will expire.
Source: Green, Judith A. Medical Insurance for International Students, Scholars, and their Families. NAFSA.