What the ACA means for international students and scholars
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), signed in 2010, sets coverage standards for U.S. health insurance and created the marketplace. Since 2019 the federal penalty for going uninsured has been $0. A few states, including California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia, have their own coverage mandates.
Most F and J visa holders are exempt. The ACA's coverage rules follow tax residency. Nonresident aliens are not subject to them. F, J, M and Q students are generally nonresidents for their first five calendar years in the U.S. J scholars and teachers are generally nonresidents for two of the last six calendar years. Once you become a tax resident, the ACA and any state mandate can apply to you.
Why international plans make sense. ACA plans are built for lifelong U.S. residents. They must cover services like preventive care and maternity, which raises the premium. Plans for international students and scholars focus on illness and injury and add benefits U.S. plans usually lack, such as medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. For most students and scholars, the result is coverage that fits their stay at a much lower price.
What you must have
- J visa holders must meet Department of State minimums and their sponsor's rules. See J Visa Insurance Requirements.
- F, M and Q visa holders have no federal insurance requirement, but most schools set their own.
Search for your school on our Student & Scholar page, or contact TaiAn and we'll match you with a plan that meets your requirements.