Postdoctoral Scholar/Clinical Fellows Insurance Plan

Postdoctoral Insurance Plan Summary of Coverage (98-page, 1.59 MB PDF file)
Postdoctoral Insurance Enrollment Form
(PDF)
Postdoctoral Plan Waiver Requirements and Waiver Form
(PDF)
COBRA Insurance Options (PDF)

What benefits are included?

PacificSource Insurance benefits include a comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plan. A complete PDF file of benefits is available for viewing by clicking on the "Summary of Coverage" link above.

Is it mandatory?

Yes, all postdoctoral scholars and clinical fellows are required to enroll in PacificSource insurance or file a waiver form with the student insurance office. Waiver details are listed under the link "Graduate Plan Waiver Requirements" above.

What paperwork do I need to do?

You need to complete an enrollment form or waiver and submit to the Student Health Insurance Office no later than the deadline listed below for the given term. Please do not submit forms earlier than six months prior to the insurance start date or without a local address. Enrollment forms are available for download at the top of this page, or in the Student Health Insurance Office. Please submit all forms to the SHS Insurance Office rather than to the PacificSource website.

Fall Term: All eligible postdoctoral scholars/clinical fellows must fill out either a health insurance enrollment form or waiver form every Fall term if a break in the scholarship/fellowship occurred during the summer term. Note: If you have a continuous scholarship/fellowship through the summer, you must only complete a new form if you have changes in your address, phone number or dependents - PLEASE WRITE ‘REVISED’ ON UPPER RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF FORM. Enrollment forms are available for download at the top of this page, or from the Student Health Insurance Office.

Deadlines for form submission: Fall term – Oct. 1, 2012; Winter term – Jan. 1, 2013; Spring term – April 1, 2013 or Summer term – July 1, 2013

When will my insurance be effective?

The health insurance plan year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. However, insurance coverage is on a month-to-month basis and will be based on the appointment begin and end dates. Insurance coverage will become effective on the first day of a month and will end on the last day of a month. If the appointment begins before the 15th of the month, the insurance effective date will be the first of that month. If the appointment begins the 16th or after, the insurance effective date will be the first day of the following month. It is important to make sure that all required paperwork, including signed letters of offer and health insurance enrollment and/or waiver forms, are processed in a timely manner. Processing delays beyond the 16th of the month will result in double charges on the postdoctoral scholar’s account the following month.

Can I enroll family members in this coverage?

Yes, you may enroll family members onto the PacificSource insurance by submitting an enrollment form to the SHS Insurance Office by the first day of the month to be added. Family members must be added during the Open Enrollment period (October or the first month of the appointment) by including the name, date of birth and Social Security number in Section 3 of the PacificSource enrollment form. To enroll family members outside of the Open Enrollment period, a Qualifying Event needs to occur, such as a marriage, birth, adoption, court order or involuntary loss of other coverage (provide Certificate of Loss of Coverage). You need to make enough in your monthly pay to authorize deduction to cover the cost of the premium.

What does it cost?

OSU will pay 100 percent ($291.17) of the yearly premium cost for Employee-only coverage minus half of the administration fee. Dependents can be added for an additional cost. Premiums for 20121-2013 (per-month, pre-tax payroll deduction) are listed below:

Employee only coverage - $6.00 (half of administration fee)
Employee + Spouse/Partner - $319.81 (administration fee plus additional dependent cost)
Employee + Children (1 or more) - $225.68 (administration fee plus additional dependent cost)
Employee + Spouse/Partner + Children - $539.41 (administration fee plus additional dependent cost)

Dental Only - $26.45

How do I pay for it?

The university will contribute 100 percent of the employee-only insurance premium. Additional coverage for dependents will be paid by the employee during the period you have your appointment. Paychecks must be large enough to accommodate the elected plan deduction. The monthly amount will be deducted from your paycheck.

How do I find a Preferred Provider?

A list of Preferred Providers can be found online at www.PacificSource.com (Choose the plan type – Preferred PSN). When you go to that provider for an appointment, you will need to present your insurance card so that the office can bill PacificSource for your visit. Some offices will ask you to pay your percentage up front, or may bill you after they have received an Explanation of Benefits from PacificSource. If you receive a billing from a provider that you do not understand, or does not look as if it has been charged to PacificSource, you should call PacificSource Customer Service at 1-888-977-9299 to ask if they have received any billings for that date of service.

What if I have other insurance?

Postdoctoral scholars/clinical fellows who have other insurance may qualify to waive out of enrollment in PacificSource. In order to qualify for a waiver, your insurance plan must cover all the services listed on the “Waiver Requirements” to be considered comparable to the PacificSource plan. A summary of benefits listing the deductible amount and services as well as a copy of both sides of the insurance card must accompany the completed waiver.

NEW OPTION: This year, the university will offer the dental benefit through PacificSource for those students who are missing dental coverage, but have all the medical and vision services required. The cost of the added dental premium will be $26.45 monthly. You will be required to complete a form and will have the dental premium cost charged directly to your OSU business office account on a monthly basis.

If my appointment changes from postdoctoral scholar to postdoctoral fellow or vice versa, do I have to submit a new health insurance enrollment or waiver form?

Postdoctoral scholars whose appointments convert from scholarship to a fellowship from one term to the next (that is, the appointments are sequential with no lapse between appointment periods), will not be required to submit a new health insurance enrollment or waiver form. NOTE: If there is any lapse in time between appointments, a new health insurance enrollment or waiver form will be required. Please contact the SHS Insurance Office with any changes by calling 541-737-7568.

Can I keep my coverage after my appointment ends?

COBRA Continuation Plan: If your position ends or you are leaving the university, you have the option of enrolling in the COBRA Continuation Plan for 18 months. COBRA coverage is a continuation of the same PacificSource coverage you had as a postdoctoral scholar/clinical fellow. PacificSource Administrators COBRA will mail an enrollment packet to you after your scholarship/fellowship ends. Please see the link “COBRA Option” for information. Additional information about COBRA coverage can be obtained by calling PacificSource Administrators COBRA at 1-877-355-2760.

PacificSource will also send information to you regarding Portability Insurance. This is insurance from PacificSource, but the coverage is not the same as the coverage within the postdoctoral scholar/clinical fellow program. For more information, please call PacificSource at 1-888-977-9299.

Who can I contact if I have more questions?