Student Health Services

Postdoctoral Insurance Plan Summary of Coverage (84-page, 1.22 MB PDF file)
Postdoctoral Insurance Enrollment Form (fillable PDF)
Postdoctoral Plan Waiver Requirements (PDF)
Postdoctoral Plan Waiver (PDF)
What Is COBRA and How Is It Administered? (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 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.

Can I enroll family members in this coverage?

Yes, costs are listed below under "What does it cost?" In order to enroll family members, the postdoctoral scholar/clinical fellow will add the dependent(s) name(s) on the health insurance enrollment form during the Open Enrollment period. He/she needs to make enough in his/her monthly pay to authorize deduction to cover the cost of the premium.

When will my insurance be effective?

The health insurance plan year runs from October 1 to September 30. However, insurance coverage is on a month-to-month basis and will be based on the graduate fellowship 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 fellowship begins before the 15th of the month, the insurance effective date will be the first of that month. If the fellowship 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.

What does it cost?

OSU will pay 100 percent ($279.28) 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 2011-2012 (per-month, pre-tax payroll deduction) are listed below:

Employee only coverage - $6.00 (half of administration fee)
Employee + Spouse/Partner - $306.73 (administration fee plus additional dependent cost)
Employee + Children (1 or more) - $216.50 (administration fee plus additional dependent cost)
Employee + Spouse/Partner + Children - $517.16 (administration fee plus additional dependent cost)

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.

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 web site.

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. Enrollment forms are available for download at the top of this page, or from the Student Health Insurance Office.

Deadlines: Fall term – Oct. 1, 2011; Winter term – Jan. 1, 2012; Spring term – April 1, 2012 or Summer term – July 1, 2012

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.

Can I keep my coverage after my appointment ends?

COBRA Continuation Plan: If 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.

How do I find a Preferred Provider?

A list of Preferred Providers can be found online at www.PacificSource.com. 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 to ask if they have received any billings for that date of service. PacificSource Customer Service can be reached at 1-888-977-9299.

Who can I contact if I have more questions?

• OSU Student Health Insurance Office at 541-737-7568, or OSUstudent.insurance@oregonstate.edu
• SHS Billing Office at 541-737-2068
• PacificSource Customer Service at 1-888-977-9299, or cs@pacificsource.com