Health & Health Insurance
Medical care in the United States is very expensive. Even if you are healthy, you can get sick or injured while you are here. You 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.
Getting insurance gives you access to medical care and helps you focus on the real reason you're here.
Students
All Emory students are required to carry health insurance. You have 2 choices:
- Sign up for the Emory Student Health Insurance Plan; or
- Fill out an online waiver and get another insurance plan that meets Emory's requirements.
The Emory plan exceeds the federal requirements for J-1 students.
More about the student health insurance requirement >>
Scholars
Emory encourages all international scholars and visitors arriving under partnership agreements to invest in health insurance due to the high cost of health care in the United States. Valid health insurance is a legal requirement for J-1 exchange visitors.
For Emory employees, the university offers three insurance plans through Aetna and Kaiser Permanente. Learn more about your medical 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 should select the Emory Aetna POS plan, or starting January 2021, the Kaiser Permanente plan, in order to meet the Department of State requirements. All J-1 scholars are required to report their health insurance coverage to ISSS. Learn more >>