What insurance is included with Camp Leaders?
J-1 visa regulations require health insurance of at least $100,000. With Camp Leaders, you are covered for up to $250,000. Your health insurance covers you for 120 days from the start of your program.
If you plan to stay in the US longer than 120 days, you will need to extend your coverage before you travel.
What does the health insurance cover?
Your health insurance covers medical treatment for illness and injury during your program. This includes doctor visits, urgent care, emergency room visits, and telemedicine consultations.
What is not covered?
Your standard health insurance does not cover:
Pre-existing medical conditions or chronic conditions
Treatment resulting from the use of drugs or alcohol
Certain high-risk activities
Luggage or personal belongings
Third-party liability
A pre-existing condition is any medical condition you have received treatment for or taken regular medication for in the last 36 months before your insurance starts. If this applies to you, it is your responsibility to get additional insurance to make sure you are covered. Camp Leaders insurance does not cover any pre-existing or chronic conditions. If you are unsure whether this applies to you, contact your local Camp Leaders office.
Do I need to activate my insurance before I travel?
Yes. You must activate your insurance before you depart for the US. Follow the steps in the insurance section of your Camp Leaders profile to activate your plan and access your insurance card. You will need this card when receiving medical treatment in the US, so make sure you can access it on your phone and have a printed copy as a backup.
Should I upgrade my insurance?
Medical costs in the US can be very high, so many participants choose to upgrade their insurance. The upgrade costs $2 per day and provides:
Medical coverage increased to $2,000,000
No deductible ($0 out of pocket before insurance kicks in)
Luggage insurance
Personal liability coverage
Natural disaster and evacuation protection
To upgrade, visit the insurance section in your Camp Leaders profile.
You can select your plan when you first activate your insurance. If you choose Standard initially, you can switch to Upgrade any time before your policy begins.
What does the insurance upgrade include?
The standard plan covers medical expenses up to $250,000 with a $100 deductible per illness or injury. The upgrade plan increases your coverage to $2,000,000, removes the deductible entirely, and adds luggage insurance, personal liability, and emergency evacuation coverage.
Full details of both plans are available in the insurance section of your Camp Leaders profile.
How much does it cost to extend my insurance?
If your time in the US exceeds the 120 days included in your program, you can add extra days at $2.50 per day. Additional days are added to your policy after you complete payment. You can extend before or after arriving in the US, but never let your insurance expire while you are still in the country.
There are no refunds for unused extensions or upgrades.
What if my visa sponsor is CIEE or Greenheart?
If your visa sponsor is CIEE or Greenheart, you must follow their specific instructions for insurance. Your insurance will be managed through their portal (Beacon for CIEE, GEO for Greenheart) rather than through Camp Leaders. Check with your sponsor for details.
Pre-travel checklist
Insurance activated in your Camp Leaders profile
Plan selected (Standard or Upgrade)
Extensions paid if staying longer than 120 days
Insurance dates match your travel dates
Insurance card downloaded and saved to your phone
Pre-existing conditions considered and additional coverage purchased if needed