PSU Health Insurance Plan
Portland State University is committed to providing an environment that fosters academic excellence and personal success. An important aspect of that mission is our concern for the physical and mental well-being of our international visiting scholars.
PSU offers a health insurance package specifically for international students and visiting scholars. The insurance plan provides coverage for basic and preventative health care, emergency and hospital care, prescription medication, maternity care, and much more. A comprehensive Travel Assistance plan and “Evacuation and Repatriation” coverage is also included in the benefits, and the plan exceeds all insurance requirements for J-1 students and scholars. The plan does not include use of the campus health center (students only), dental or vision (eye glasses). Please visit http://www.pdx.edu/shac/insuranceplan to view the highlights of the 2012-13 plan.
PSU Health Insurance Enrollment
The International Scholar Adviser or Insurance Coordinator at PSU will help you enroll in the PSU Insurance Plan when you arrive for Check-In and Orientation. You should be prepared to pay your insurance fees when you arrive. Payment may be made by US-based credit card or by check drawn on a US bank.
PSU Insurance Cost
The PSU insurance for J-1 visiting scholars is based on a weekly rate of enrollment. When you purchase the PSU insurance you will be charged for the number of weeks you are enrolled.
2012-13 PSU Health Insurance Weekly Rates:
- Scholar $32
- Spouse $49
- Per Child $40
- For example, if you will be in the U.S for six months, your insurance cost will be 26 weeks x $32 = $832.
Period of Insurance Enrollment
J-1 Visiting Scholars must have insurance for their entire stay in the U.S. When purchasing your insurance, you must start your insurance on the day you plan to arrive in the U.S. and continue your insurance until your departure date. You may choose to purchase your insurance for the entire period with one payment, or you may purchase your insurance for several shorter periods at a time, depending upon your budget. If you choose to purchase your insurance for shorter periods it is your responsibility to renew your insurance at the end of each period. Wells Fargo will not send you a billing statement or reminder – you must remember to extend your insurance. For stays of less than one year it is recommended that you purchase your insurance for your entire stay in one payment. For stays longer than a year, annual or semi-annual payments are recommended, depending upon your budget.