Q: “I didn’t know we had to have health insurance and why is it 
mandatory?”
A: In short, it is the law of the land. Per the health care reform act recently passed by Congress and taking effect January 2014, all citizens will have some form of health insurance coverage. Portland State University must comply with this law for any domestic student taking at least five credit hours. But as Christi Zielger, PSU Student Insurance Coordinator states, “PSU does not have mandatory insurance because of the law…we’ve always had mandatory insurance, but this is the first time we have had such a robust plan and are allowing students to waive out if they have something else.” Like it or not our government wants its citizens (and students) to be healthy and to have the ability to pay for such services to remain so.
(PSU’s plan is in effect now) http://www.pdx.edu/shac/insurance-information
Q: “But I already have insurance (I think) through my parents or my employer. Can I use my same doctor”?
A: As long as you have existing insurance coverage, provide the applicable documentation, and submit a waiver to the school prior to the beginning of class, you will not be automatically charged for PSU’s health insurance. And yes, you can stay with your same doctor or with your own insurance carrier. You will have to see if your current doctor is in-service with Aetna, PSU’s insurance provider, or is considered out-of-service with Aetna. Either way you are covered. http://www.pdx.edu/shac/insurancewaiver. And if you wish a link for providers: https://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/
Q: “If I do not already have health insurance coverage, how much will this cost me? Is this a good price?
A: The cost of PSU’s health insurance plan is $560/term ($140/month annualized). This bill will be automatically applied to your account when you register for class (unless you file a waiver). Look at these monthly cost comparisons*:
- PSU- $140
- Reed- $133
- Lewis & Clark- $225
- U of P- $178
- Willamette- $211
(*For comparison, this writer has health insurance through his wife’s employer. While it is good coverage—the price is $460/mo. for the two of us).
Q: “Is there a clinic on campus I can go to if I can’t get to my normal doctor”?
- A: Yes there is. SHAC, Student Health and Counseling, and it is located at Univ. Center Bldg, Ste. 300, 1880 SW 6th. http://www.pdx.edu/shac/ They are professionally staffed for:
- Medical
- Dental
- Mental Health
- Testing
PLAN HIGHLIGHTS (not inclusive)
- No Deductible
- $20/$30/$40 Co pays
- Inpatient/surgical/hospital coverage @ 80%
- Outpatient care @ 80%-100%
- Annual out of pocket max @ $3500
- Annual max payout coverage @ $100,000
- Prescriptions @ 100% (generic)
- Free generic birth control prescriptions
- Outpatient Mental Health/Alcoholism/Drug Treatment @ 100%
- Women’s Health Care @ 100%
- Preventive Health Care @ 100%
- Diabetic Testing Supplies @ 80%
- Elective Abortion Expense @ 80%
- No Dental
- No Vision
- No Hearing
For more detailed and complete information please contact:
Christi Ziegler, PSU Student Insurance Coordinator, 503-725-2467, christi.ziegler@pdx.edu, campus @ SHAC bldg. Or http://www.pdx.edu/shac/insuranceplan