• U.S. Department of Energy
  • Fermilab

Quicklinks

Contact

International Services Assistant:
Barbara Book x3111
bbook@fnal.gov

International Services Assistant:
Kappatolia Sherman x3811
kappy013@fnal.gov

Visa Office hours
Hours Wilson Hall
Monday through Friday
7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Medical Insurance for Users/Visitors


Insurance Options for Users
All users to Fermilab must arrange for their own medical insurance.  If you hold J-1 status, you must comply with the requirements imposed by the U.S. Department of State – see http://wdrs.fnal.gov/visas/required_medical.html for information specific to you.  All other Users to Fermilab may follow the guidance below.

In some cases, the medical coverage you already have in your home country might be sufficient.  You must confirm that it covers you for incidents IN the United States. If so, you may present a copy of the medical insurance to the Users Office when applying for your Fermilab Visitor ID Badge, provided the certificate of insurance is in English.  If not, you must provide a Medical Insurance Attestation.

U.S. insurance companies sell medical insurance to non-US citizen visitors in the U.S.  There are two types of such medical insurance: (1) temporary insurance, which is also called travel insurance, and “full coverage” insurance, which is more comparable to that received by Fermilab employees. See the chart below for explanations and links to several insurance providers. 

U.S. medical insurance is very different from that offered anywhere else in the world.  An explanation of temporary U.S. insurance plans is located at here.

Temporary Insurance Plans

  • Low cost
  • Intended for shorter coverage periods
  • Not intended for maintaining wellness – intended only to treat serious illness or injury
  • No dental or vision coverage
  • Excludes coverage for “pre-existing conditions” – any illness or injury that occurs before arrival in the U.S., or that is related to an injury or illness that occurred before arrival here
  • If the dates of your visit might change, check the company’s policy for renewals or extensions of insurance before you buy!

“Full Coverage” Insurance Plans

  • Offers wellness care as well as emergency treatment
  • Optional dental or vision riders in some cases
  • Fewer “excluded” pre-existing conditions.

Gateway offers several temporary insurance plans, including “Gateway USA,” which is temporary medical insurance for a minimum of 15 days to a maximum of 36 months.  This is primarily emergency care for illness or injury – NOT wellness care. Dental and vision coverage is not included.  “Pre-existing conditions” are excluded – see “Highlights” under “Exclusions”. Insurance is underwritten by IMG / Sirius, which is rated A by A.M. Best.

Offers “CitizenSecure” worldwide medical insurance that includes coverage in the U.S.  Requires use of “network” medical service providers. An optional Dental rider is available. View the terms of coverage at http://www.hccmis.com/citizen-secure-insurance-coverage-us/. Rated A- by A.M. Best.
Not truly “full” coverage, but comes much close than the temporary plans. Cost is comparable to that paid by Fermilab employees - ~$300+ per month for a married couple with 1 child.

NYIG offers several temporary insurance plans, including “Patriot America” which is temporary U.S. medical insurance for a minimum of 10 days up to a maximum of 12 months.  This is primarily emergency care for illness or injury – NOT wellness care.  Dental and vision coverage is not included.  “Pre-existing conditions” are excluded – see “Exclusions”. Insurance is underwritten by IMG / Sirius, which is rated A by A.M. Best.
  • BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois

BCBS offers several plans that satisfy J legal regulations in their “BlueValue” series, each with $250 deductible. BCBS offers a comparison of the different Blue Value plans to help decide which one best suits your circumstances. Rated A+ by A.M. Best.
Truly “full” coverage. Cost is ~$600+ per month for a married couple with 1 child. Only plans with $250 deductibles are acceptable under J-1 regulations (BlueValue Advantage and BlueChoice Value).

Seven Corners offers an “Inbound Guest” insurance plan that is temporary medical insurance coverage for a minimum of 5 days to a maximum of 6 months. Dental and vision coverage is not included.  “Pre-existing conditions” are excluded – see page 6, Definitions, the Inbound Guest Program Summary. Insurance is underwritten by Lloyd’s, which is rated A by A.M. Best.

 

Fermilab’s Visa Office makes no recommendations about any company listed above.  Please make your selection of medical insurance provider based on your review of the plan details and limitations and your own circumstances.

Questions? Comments? Contact the Visa Office!