Health and Counseling

Benefits are an important part of the total compensation package for OHSU employees and Postdoctoral Fellows. From meeting your family's essential health needs, to saving for the future, to enhancing your day-to-day well being, programs are designed to be comprehensive, affordable and customizable to meet the diverse needs of employees and their families.

Employee and partner information

Postdoc and partner information

View a full description of Postdoctoral scholars insurance

For a full description of Postdoc benefits, check out the Postdoctoral Fellow's Guide

In addition to standard employee benefits, Postdocs can be seen at the JBT Health & Wellness Center for both primary care and behavioral health appointments.

Enrollment in Pacific Source's school-endorsed student health insurance plan is automatic for all students at the start of your academic program. You may also elect to enroll spouses, domestic partners and children on the insurance plan.

Click here for full details on the Student Insurance Plan page

In addition to standard student insurance, students and their partners can go to the Joseph B. Trainer Health & Wellness Center with Primary Care, Preventative Care, and Behavioral Health and Wellness Services. Learn more about the services

U.S. Department of State regulations require all J-1 Exchange Visitors to have medical insurance for themselves and any accompanying J-2 family members for the duration of their program. U.S. regulations require all exchange visitors (both J-1s and J-2s) to have health insurance during the duration of their exchange visitor status. The health insurance plan selected by the exchange visitor must meet the minimum requirements designated by U.S. law at 22 C.F.R. 62.14, and the exchange visitor and accompanying dependents may be subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

For more information on the Affordable Care Act

Foreign Medical Insurance Policies: J-1/J-2 Exchange Visitors who will be covered within the United States under a foreign insurance policy must submit a copy of the insurance policy to the Department of Immigration Services.  If applicable, the policy documentation should have an English translation, indicating amounts of coverage and the dates of coverage.  Individuals carrying policies that do not meet the minimum levels of coverage outlined by the J1 regulations, will be required to purchase insurance that meets the U.S. Department of State requirements, which must include medical evacuation and repatriation coverage.

Pregnancy Insurance Coverage: Most U.S. medical insurance plans will not cover a pre-existing pregnancy. If you or your spouse is currently pregnant and you are not eligible for OHSU Employee medical insurance, you must purchase a medical insurance policy in your home country that will cover the pregnancy and birth while you are in the United States. OHSU Employee medical insurance policy will cover a pre-existing pregnancy, provided certain provisions are met. If you are eligible for OHSU Employee medical insurance, please contact Human Resource (HR) as soon as possible.

Elective Insurance Coverage: It is important to remember that in the United States certain kinds of elective medical care, such as eyeglasses or dentistry are ordinarily not covered by regular medical insurance. Exchange Visitors should take care of such needs before leaving home, or may elect to purchase separate coverage for these needs through a private company.

Alternative Health Insurance Plans

Please find below a sampling of companies that sell health insurance to international exchange visitors and their dependents.

Insurance Plans that Allow for Coverage of J-2 Dependents Without Requiring Coverage of the J-1

Please find below a sampling of companies that sell insurance to cover medical evacuation and repatriation:

US Healthcare System overview

US Healthcare System Overview

This video teaches international people how to prepare for their arrival in the US, how the US healthcare system works and how international people should seek medical care appropriately if they become sick or injured. 

Mental health wellness for international students

Mental Health Wellness for International Students

This short video introduces the concepts of mental health for internationals in the US.  Covering mental health awareness and warning signs, dispelling myths, and showing ways to seek treatment, the video seeks to demystify a complex topic.

Routine exams with primary care physician

Are for non-urgent patients only, and you will need to schedule an appointment with a doctor's office to be seen. Before you schedule your appointment, be sure to confirm the types of treatment your insurance policy will cover. A small co-payment upon check in is common before you can be seen by a doctor. Find a doctor at OHSU and learn more or call 503-494-8311.

Urgent care clinics

Should be reserved only for serious, but not life-threatening situations. These clinics do not require appointments, but you should verify with your insurance company if your policy covers costs of treatment at the urgent care clinic.

A common choice for this service is ZoomCare. Find a location or make an appointment

Emergency rooms (ER)

The ER and ambulances should only be used for serious medical emergencies. No appointment is necessary to be seen by a doctor in the ER, and wait times can vary as patients with more severe emergencies are given priority. If you feel you have a serious, debilitating, life-threatening or emergent medical condition requiring immediate medical care, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. Learn more about the OHSU ER

Specialist

Are doctors who only practices a specific type of medicine. You should check with your insurance company before scheduling an appointment with a specialist because you may need to first get a referral from your primary physician in order to have your insurance cover the costs of the specialist's treatment. Find a specialist at OHSU

For partners of OHSU employees or postdoctoral fellows

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The EAP provides you and all your dependents, regardless of the medical plan you are enrolled in, 24/7 access to confidential counseling to help you address issues such as relationships, drug and alcohol abuse, financial hardship and general stress or depression. The most commonly used benefit of the EAP is three free visits (no copay or other out of pocket cost to you) with a counselor for you and/or your dependents. Many issues can be addressed directly with your EAP professional; in some cases, you may be referred to other resources that are in your network coverage.

Employees, Learn More

Partners, Learn More

  • Relationship or marriage issues
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Financial problems
  • Stress management
  • Alcohol and drug abuse
  • Finding community resources
  • Conflict at work
  • Stress from identity theft

For partners of OHSU postdoctoral fellows and students

The Student Health and Wellness Center provides counseling services that can help preserve and enhance your emotional and behavioral health. Learn more.

  • Individual or couples therapy
  • Referral

Disclaimer: This list is provided as an information service only. It is not an exhaustive list of services or companies and is not an endorsement by OHSU of any company listed.