Many insurance policies limit the amount they will pay for any single individual's medical bills or for any specific illness or injury. Major illnesses, however, can cost several times that amount. Some insurance policies limit the amount of time they will go on paying for each illness or injury. In that case, after the benefit period for a condition has expired, you must pay the full cost of continuing treatment of the illness, even if you are still insured by the company. A policy with a long benefit period provides the best coverage.
Most insurance policies exclude coverage for certain conditions.
The J regulations require that if a particular activity is a part of your Exchange Visitor program, your insurance must cover injuries resulting from your participation in that activity. Read the list of exclusions carefully so that you understand exactly what is not covered by the policy. If you need information about purchasing insurance, ask your J-1 sponsor about policies available to Exchange Visitors in the United States. Read the policy information carefully and don't be afraid to ask questions before you buy. The OISS maintains a list of medical insurance carriers who meet DOS requirements.