Health care in the United States is very expensive. Therefore, it is recommended that all MIT visitors and affiliates have adequate health insurance. MIT has health insurance requirements for visitors and affiliates and the U.S. Department of State also has requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors. All scholars in J-1 visa status are required by the Department of State to have health insurance for themselves and all dependents in J-2 status for the entire period of stay in the United States. The International Scholars Office requires all J-1 Exchange Visitors to sign a Statement of Compliance when requesting the Form DS-2019 and again upon arrival at MIT. The Statement of Compliance details the requirements of health insurance coverage for all J-1 and J-2 Exchange Visitors. By signing this form, J-1 Exchange Visitors are stating that they understand the requirements and agree to comply with them. Click here for more information about the J-1 health insurance requirement.
If you are receiving a salary from MIT, you may be eligible for MIT benefits, including health insurance. The benefit programs of MIT are available to all faculty and staff members who are appointed for at least three months, for at least 50% time, and are paid by MIT. If you are not sure if you are eligible for MIT benefits, speak to the Administrative Officer or Personnel Administrator in your department, laboratory, or center; contact the Benefits Office (Building E19-215, tel. 617-253-6151) or consult the Human Resources website. Individuals with the following MIT titles are among those NOT eligible for MIT benefits: Postdoctoral Fellow*, Research Fellow, Research Affiliate, and those on “Visiting” appointments. (*Postdoctoral Fellows are, in some cases, eligible for either the MIT Health Plan or the MIT Affiliate Health Plan. Contact the Administrative Officer or Personnel Administrator in your department, laboratory, or center for details.) MIT offers a choice of several health plans to benefits-eligible employees. You can enroll in one of the available health plans within 31 days of your starting date, or within 31 days of receiving your enrollment forms, whichever is later. Enrollment forms are included in a benefits package you will receive at a benefits orientation offered by the Human Resources Department. Often your department, laboratory, or center will make arrangements for you to attend this orientation. If you wish to sign up for a benefits orientation yourself, contact the Benefits Office directly. When you enroll in one of the health plans offered by MIT, you will have the insurance coverage required by the Department of State for J-1 Exchange Visitors. MIT will pay for some of the cost of the health plan you choose, and the balance is deducted from your paycheck. Click here for more information about the health plans offered by MIT.
If you are not eligible for MIT benefits (not paid by MIT), but have an appointment for at least 50% time, for at least three months, you may be eligible to enroll in the MIT Affiliate Health Plan, which includes both the Affiliate Medical Plan and the Affiliate Extended Insurance Plan. To enroll in the program or get more information about it, contact the Affiliate Health Plan Office (Building E23-308, tel. 617-253-4371) or consult the website. The MIT Affiliate Health Plan meets all of the J-1 requirements. Health insurance coverage backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the Exchange Visitor's home country meets the Department of State (DOS) requirements. In addition to the DOS requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors, certain MIT visitors and affiliates are required by MIT to have health insurance. The appointment titles subject to the MIT mandatory health care program are Visiting Scientist, Visiting Engineer, Visiting Economist, Visiting Scholar, Visiting Research Associate, Research Fellow, Fellow, Postdoctoral Fellow*, Visiting Professor (including Assistant and Associate), and Bantrell Fellow. *Postdoctoral Fellows are, in some cases, eligible for either the MIT Health Plan or the MIT Affiliate Health Plan. Contact the Administrative Officer or Personnel Administrator in your department, laboratory, or center for details.
If you do not want to enroll in the MIT Affiliate Health Plan because you brought your own insurance, you must do all of the following:
Your insurance plan must meet the State of Massachusetts requirements, and DOS's J-1 Exchange Visitor requirements (if applicable). DOS requires that all J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents have medical evacuation and repatriation of remains insurance. If you do not have this kind of insurance included in the plan you brought from home, you must purchase it separately. The cost is reasonable, about $50-$200 per year. Please ask the International Scholars Office for a list of companies that provide this insurance.
If you brought insurance sponsored by your home government, you will need to sign a waiver through the Affiliate Health Plan Office. J-1 Exchange Visitors are also required to sign the Statement of Compliance for the ISO stating that they understand and agree to comply with the requirements.
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