Office of International Affairs

Health Insurance

All PSU international students and their families are required by law to carry health insurance for the duration of their studies. Health care in the US is very expensive and this is intended to protect you from serious financial hardship.

It is your responsibility to comply with insurance requirements by checking your student bill for insurance fees each term or meeting all of the requirements for a waiver.

PSU’s Healthcare Coverage

PSU’s required insurance coverage and fees consist of three parts:
1. Health Service Fee
Allows students access to the Center for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC), a primary health care clinic on campus for all PSU students enrolled in 5 or more credits. This clinic includes mental health counseling staff and a dental clinic.

2. Basic Insurance Plan
Pays a portion of health care expenses, but does not eliminate expense of major illness or injury. The Basic Insurance Plan is included with the Health Service Fee.

3. Supplemental Health Insurance Plan
Pays significant portion of major medical expenses after Basic Insurance Plan is exhausted.

Special Circumstances for Waiver of Supplemental Plan

Fees for health insurance will appear on your student bill each term and cannot be waived unless allowed by one of the following special circumstances:

  • You are on a J visa and have adequate health insurance purchased before you arrive in the US.
  • Your government or embassy pays for your insurance through an outside company.
  • You have insurance coverage through your US employer during your practical training period.
  • You have insurance through your spouse’s employer.

Applying for Waiver of the Supplemental Plan

To obtain a waiver of the Supplemental Plan coverage and fee you must do the following:

  • Ensure that you have the minimum coverage required by law (see below).
  • Submit an online waiver request through the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Waiver Form
  • Submit your supporting documents to the Center for Student Health and Counseling:
    • By e-mailing them to intlins@pdx.edu
    • By faxing them to 503-725-5812, attention: Jessica Cole
    • By taking copies to the Center for Student Health and Counseling directly, in UCB 200
  • Check your student billing account for the removal of the Supplemental Plan fee.

You will be charged the Supplemental Plan fee if ANY of the following apply to you:

  • proof of insurance is submitted after the term deadline
  • you fail to submit supporting documentation within 10 business days of submitting the online waiver request
  • the start or end date of your coverage is missing
  • your coverage doesn’t meet the minimum requirements
  • your renewal leaves a gap in your coverage dates
  • your insurance expires before the first day of the following term

Fees, Coverage Requirements and Deadlines

Students will normally pay the Health Service Fee with their tuition for the classes they are taking. The Health Service Fee is a mandatory student fee for all students taking 5 or more credits at PSU. Because the Basic Insurance is included in the Health Service fee, a student will only have to pay the Basic Insurance as a separate charge on their account if they are taking fewer than 5 credits. Students should always be charged separately for the Supplemental Plan, generally during the fourth week of classes; it will never be included in your tuition.

To waive the PSU Supplemental Insurance, your insurance coverage must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Medical benefits covering at least $102,000 for each accident or illness
  • The deductible may not exceed $500 for each accident or illness
  • Medical evacuation to the home country (unlimited coverage)
  • Repatriation of mortal remains to the home country (unlimited coverage)

  Fall and Winter Terms (Each Term) Spring-Summer
Charged as a single fee during the Spring term
Student $183 $366
Spouse $249 $498
Child $194 $388
Term Must Begin By May Not End Before Waiver Submission Deadline
Fall 09/20/2009 01/04/2010 10/12/2009
Winter 01/04/2010 03/29/2010 01/18/2010
Spring 03/29/2010 09/20/2010
06/11/2010 (Note)		 04/12/2010
Summer 06/21/2010 09/20/2010 07/05/2010

Your insurance may not expire before the beginning of the Fall 2010 insurance plan unless you will graduate in Spring quarter.

News & Events