You (and your family, should they travel with you) will be required to carry health insurance while you are a student at Purdue. Insurance coverage must begin with your program entry date and coverage must be continuous for the duration of your academic studies at Purdue.  U.S. federal law specifically requires minimum health insurance coverage for all J-1 students and their J-2 dependents. Furthermore, Purdue University requires all nonimmigrant international students and family members, including F-1 and F-2 dependents, to carry health insurance.

The University has negotiated a health insurance plan that will not only meet federal criteria for J-1 students and J-2 dependents, but will provide affordable coverage for all nonimmigrant students.  Annual plan premiums (cost) for August 2008 - August 2009 are estimated to be the following:

Purdue Health Insurance Plans

• Student only: $1,150.00
• Student & Spouse: $5,000.00
• Student & Child: $2,500.00
• Student & All Children: $3,000.00
• Student, Spouse, & Child: $6,600.00
• Student, Spouse, & All Children: $7,000.00

Please note that these are estimates only, and actual costs will not be determined until a later date.  (Note: if you are beginning enrollment at Purdue this summer, you are also required to obtain coverage for the summer.  You may do so by contacting the Student Insurance Representative by telephone or fax as listed below).

You will have the opportunity to purchase this insurance plan upon your arrival to the University.  There is also an option to purchase more extensive coverage by contacting the Student Insurance Representative at the Student Health Center, Room 340.  Telephone:  765-496-3998, or Fax: 765-496-2524.  If you wish to participate in an alternative plan you may do so, however, your health insurance policy must meet University established minimum criteria in order to waive participation in the plan made available through Purdue. The minimum criteria is as follows:

1. *Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness.
2. *Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500.
3. *Medical evacuation coverage in the amount of $10,000.
4. *Annual deductible not to exceed $500 per illness per person.
5. The insurance carrier must carry and maintain one of the following ratings:
   • A.M. Best Rating of "A-" or better.
   • Insurance Solvency Intl., Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-" or better.
   • Standard and Poor's Claims paying ability rating of "A-" or better.
   • Weiss Research, Inc. rating of "B+" or better.
   • Backed by the full faith and credit of the home government. 

* Amounts must be in US dollars and are the minimal amounts required at the time a waiver request is reviewed at the University.