Participate Learning offers a very competitive health benefits program for all program participants through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Participate Learning program participants and any accompanying J-2 family members are required by the U.S. Department of State to have health insurance at certain minimum coverage levels. To meet this requirement, all teachers are enrolled in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield health benefits program through the entirety of their program participation. Participate Learning pays a large portion of the monthly premium cost—however, all teachers are also responsible for paying a portion of the monthly premium.