Health care in the U.S. may be quite different from that of your home country. Medical treatment in the Boston area is very good, but American health care can be expensive\u2014there is no socialized or national health care system in the U.S. Health insurance is necessary to help defray those costs.\u00a0In addition, federal and state regulations have insurance mandates that you will need to be aware of and comply with during your stay in the U.S., including requirements specific to students in Massachusetts, residents of Massachusetts and J-1 exchange visitors.\u00a0 While the ISSO strives to give you the most up-to-date information on insurance requirements, we cannot monitor whether specific insurance plans meet the requirements \u2013 ultimately it is your responsibility to make sure you have the proper coverage to meet any requirements that apply to you.<\/p>\n
Massachusetts has a standard of minimum coverage which is required for all persons residing in the state (note that for the purpose of Massachusetts insurance coverage, the term \u201cresiding\u201d applies to all persons who live in the state during a given year). Failure to maintain adequate health insurance coverage to meet the Massachusetts requirements may result in tax penalties. More information can be found on the Attorney General for Massachusetts’ website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Eligible employees may participate in the BU Health Plan<\/a> regardless of immigration classification. Employees sponsored under BU’s J-1 classification must comply with the additional insurance requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors<\/a>. It is important to plan accordingly as health insurance coverage offered through BU generally is not effective until the first of the month on or after <\/em>the start date of employment. Human Resources offers weekly new employee orientation sessions<\/a> for benefits eligible employees and will provide more details about health insurance.<\/p>\n Important note for J-1 employees:<\/strong> The health insurance policies available through BU do not <\/em>include provisions covering medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. A supplemental insurance policy will be necessary to cover these specific requirements. <\/em><\/strong>The following companies offer supplemental plans for the required medical evacuation and repatriation of remains requirements (By listing them here, we are not specifically recommending them or attesting to their credibility or reliability). In addition, we recommend that you review the plans noted below for non-benefits eligible employees & affiliates as they offer this supplemental coverage in addition to basic travel insurance:<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, the ISSO recommends employees in the J-1 classification select the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO Plan when choosing their coverage plan as the other option available to BU employees does not meet the J-1 requirements related to annual deductibles.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/a>\u00a0Requirements for Massachusetts residents and J-1 exchange visitors must be met regardless of your BU affiliation. Please review the following options for obtaining the required coverage:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n All Boston University students are automatically enrolled each year in the\u00a0Boston University Student Medical Insurance Plan\u00a0administered by\u00a0Aetna Student Health. This plan was designed for your safety and well-being. You will be charged for the basic medical insurance plan on your tuition bill.<\/p>\n If you already have medical insurance coverage from another source (for example, through a company that sponsors your study in the United States), you may request a waiver of this fee and un-enroll in the Boston University Student Medical Insurance Plan by completing the waiver form and providing\u00a0proof of comparable insurance\u00a0to\u00a0Student Accounting Services<\/a>. An alternate insurance plan must meet strict requirements in order for you to qualify for the waiver. With very few exceptions, state law prohibits BU from accepting coverage by an insurance company outside the United States. Before enrolling for coverage or renewing coverage in an insurance plan other than Boston University’s student health plan, check with Student Accounting Services to determine whether it meets the waiver requirements.<\/p>\n Please visit\u00a0Student Accounting Services Medical Insurance<\/a> for more information regarding:<\/p>\n Please visit\u00a0Aetna Student Health<\/a> to:<\/p>\n Additional requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors<\/a><\/p>\n Boston University offers exceptional medical and wellness care to all full-time students at this on-campus facility. From coughs and colds to asthma and acne, they have a staff of expert clinicians to meet your medical needs in a caring and confidential environment. Medical services include gynecological care, men’s health care, sports medicine, minor office procedures, referrals to specialists, and massage therapy. Wellness & Prevention Services supports your well-being with resources and up-to-date information on topics such as stress relief, nutrition, smoking cessation, and much more. All students pay mandatory fees (which are separate from any medical insurance fees) so they can take full advantage of medical care and support services throughout their academic program.<\/p>\nResearcher, Faculty, and Staff Health Insurance<\/h3>\n
Health Insurance Benefits for Boston University Employees<\/h4>
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Health Insurance Options for Visiting Researchers, Non-Benefits-Eligible Employees & Other Affiliates<\/h4>
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Student Medical Insurance<\/h3>\n
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Student Health Services<\/h2>\n