Health Insurance

All students must have health insurance at the time of matriculation. To ensure that students have access to a comprehensive, reasonably priced health plan, PNWU has chosen Aetna Student Health as the medical plan provider. The PNWU student health insurance plan does not offer coverage for dependents. Dental and vision are not included in the plan to keep premiums at a reasonable level. If you want dental or vision coverage, you will be provided with a link to individual plans. All students must either enroll in the student-sponsored health plan or provide proof of other acceptable health coverage.

• For questions related to waivers, eligibility, or enrollment, please contact: HSAC at 1-888-978-8355  and identify yourself as a PNWU student.
• Dee Witte – Senior Account Manager – enrollments, eligibility, benefit questions, claims issues – dee@hsac.com
• Destani Irland – Account Specialist – waiver questions, approvals, and declinations – destani@hsac.com
• Karin Swanson – President – karin@hsac.com
• Locate participating providers and plan information at www.aetnastudenthealth.com.
• To enroll or request a waiver, go to https://app.hsac.com/pnwu

To waive coverage from the PNWU student health insurance plan through Aetna Student Health, students must submit documentation verifying coverage by another ACA-compliant domestic health insurance plan, and the coverage must meet all requirements set forth by PNWU.

Provided below are resources for students to search for individual or family health insurance plans. It is important to read carefully and consider all of your options when making a decision about purchasing health insurance for yourself or your family. The provider should give you a thorough explanation of benefits that are covered, any plan exclusions or limitations, whether you are required to use a network of providers, plan maximum, deductibles and co-pays, and if there is an out-of-pocket annual maximum. Be aware that some plans limit coverage for mental health conditions or do not cover pregnancy unless you request a pregnancy rider. Please read the summary plan descriptions carefully in evaluating the best coverage for you.

Visit the websites below to assist you in searching for individual health insurance plans:

• Washington Health-plan Finder (for Washington residents)
• Cover Oregon (for Oregon residents)
• Idaho Insurance Marketplace (for Idaho residents)
• Health Care.Gov (for Montana and Alaska residents as well as other states who have opted to use the Federal Exchange. Students can find information about their home state’s insurance exchange on this site.
• Blue Cross & Blue Shield Plans
• SOMA ACA Health Insurance Advisory Service

PNWU does not endorse or recommend any specific independent plan or any provider; it is solely the student’s choice.

Resources:

• Department of Labor: COBRA Extension of Coverage

Local doctors that are accepting new student patients:

George Lupas, DO Family Medicine 510 West First Avenue Toppenish, WA 98948 (509) 865-5600
Total Care Clinics 111 University Parkway, ste 104 Yakima, WA 509.735.9355 This is across the street from PNWU

University Campus Health Nurse Now Available

Starting August 19, 2024, Ms. Judy O’Neal, our campus nurse, will provide on-campus support for essential medical services to PNWU students and employees from a dedicated space in the Total Care Clinic located on the PNWU campus in Iron Horse Lodge, Suite 104. Services include:

• Student immunizations
• Student immunization lab titers
• Student TB screening
• Nurse Triage for simple health concerns such as employee questions about returning to work after illness, acute illness, and injury reporting follow-up
• Access for Primary Care through Total Care Clinic
• To schedule a primary care appointment, contact Total Care Clinic directly at 509-767-6447. Identify yourself as a PNWU student or employee and verify that Total Care Clinic accepts your insurance for services you wish to receive. You are responsible for payment of your copay or anything else not covered by your insurance.
• Interpath Laboratory services

NURSE WALK-IN HOURS Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Disability Insurance: Med PLUS Advantage

PNWU secures disability insurance for each doctoral student through Med Plus Advantage. The Med Plus Advantage program, sponsored by the American Medical Association, is dedicated to providing students with specifically tailored coverage throughout their education. For detailed information please see: www.medplusadvantage.com

Schedule of Benefits: Disability Income

• $1,500 Monthly Benefit
• 90-day Elimination Period
• 6-month/12-month Preexisting Condition
• Length of Benefit to 65 – Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA)
• $2,000-$2,500 monthly benefit available during residency on guaranteed issue basis
• 24-month M&N Limit: mental & nervous disabilities limited to 24 month of benefits
• $3,000 Income Offset
• Assisted Living Benefit (ALB)
• $5,000 Lump Sum after 12 months of permanent and total disability
• 5-year Student Definition: unable to perform duties of a student in good standing
• School Loan Provision: up to $200,000 at the end of 12 months of permanent & total disability

Find a Healthcare Provider