All J-1 Exchange Visitor participants and any accompanying J-2 family dependents are required to purchase health insurance which includes a medical evacuation and repatriation benefit. The State University of New York offers this coverage through the SUNY International Student Health and Accident Insurance Program.
If you are a research scholar or professor, SUNY requires that you purchase the insurance through the University. This is mandatory regardless of coverage provided by an outside agency unless a specific exemption is approved by the Office of International Student & Scholar Services.
For more details about health insurance coverage and rates, you can review a summary of the SUNY International Student/Scholar Health Insurance Policy online.
If you will be an employee of Binghamton University
If you have been offered a faculty or research position at Binghamton for pay that is equivalent to 50% or higher of a full-time position, you will be offered the employee health insurance plan provided by New York State or the Research Foundation of SUNY as part of your salary and benefits. However, since these plans do not provide medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, you are required to purchase a standalone policy from the Office of International Student & Scholar Services for this coverage. You must also purchase coverage for the SUNY International Health Insurance plan for the 42-day waiting period required until the NYS or Research Foundation benefit plan coverage begins.
International Insurance fees and Medical Evacuation and Repatriation can be found here.
Insurance enrollment and payment
You should plan to visit the Office of International Student & Scholar Services as soon as possible after your arrival to schedule your ISSS Orientation, which will include a session on Health Insurance enrollment and plan information. You will be charged and will pay for your insurance at that time
Prior to arrival you will receive an email message from our International Health Insurance Team that will include an exact price quote for your specific appointment period.
Questions regarding insurance should be addressed to the International Health Insurance Team, Office of International Student & Scholar Services at (607) 777-2510, fax (607) 777-4649 or via email: intl.insure@binghamton.edu
