Maintaining one’s health is an important factor in performing well in college. To ensure students remain healthy, all undergraduates must be covered by health insurance. All students will be charged for the college’s plan, but have the option to waive if they can demonstrate comparable coverage.
Student Health Insurance Plan Details
The 2023–24 Reed College student health insurance plan is with PacificSource.
The Reed College student health insurance plan, provided by PacificSource, is through the Navigator network (previously the Voyager network). More information can be obtained online at PacifcSource.
MALS Students: Enrollment in the student health insurance plan is voluntary for MALS students. Enrollment must be completed online with PacificSource each semester by the dates listed below.
Fall open enrollment: July 15, 2023 through September 15, 2023
Spring open enrollment: December 1 through February 1, 2024
Summer open enrollment: May 1, 2024 through July 1, 2024
Questions regarding the coverage? Please call PacificSource at 855-274-9814 or 541-225-2741 or Mike Pigou at USI NW at 503-417-9235.
Waiving the Student Health Insurance
Students that have their own insurance coverage and do not want to be enrolled in the college’s plan must provide proof of comparable health insurance coverage annually by completing an insurance waiver prior to the first day of classes. This includes students who have been approved for part-time enrollment status. No waivers will be accepted after the first day of classes - no exceptions.
Students who would like to waive spring coverage and were enrolled in the college's student health insurance for the fall semester must email business-office@reed.edu to be reactivated in the waiver portal.
Beginning in Spring 2023, all waivers will go through a verification process to confirm the comparable coverage meets the necessary requirements. Please allow 5-7 business days for this process.
Approved waivers: Students with an approved waiver will not be enrolled in the student health insurance and will receive a credit on their account to offset the insurance charge.
Denied waivers: Students with denied waivers will be enrolled in the college’s student health insurance plan. The HCC has provided the insurance denial next steps checklist for assistance with denied waivers. If the waiver has been denied and more information is needed, or notification of the waiver status has not been received within seven days of submitting the waiver, please contact PacificSource Customer Service at 855-274-9814 or studentwaiver@pacificsource.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)-Student Health Insurance
Why was my waiver denied, considering that my coverage is comparable and/or accepted in the past? What steps should I take to have my waiver accepted?
The college has seen an increase in students not having adequate coverage and incurring significant medical bills that jeopardize the student’s ability to continue their education. The college decided to verify insurance coverage to ensure that all students who opt-out of the college's coverage have comparable health insurance in place.
If you believe your coverage is comparable, please reach out to PacificSource at 855-274-9814 or studentwaiver@pacificsource.com to see if you can send documentation that proves your insurance is comparable or request an appeal.
Note: If the only coverage provided to your child while they are out-of-state is emergency or catastrophic care, this will not be considered comparable and you will need to explore other options.
What if I miss the deadline to waive the coverage?
You will be enrolled in the college's health plan for the semester. You may submit a waiver for the upcoming semester once the waiver portal opens.
Does the college receive any revenue from the student health insurance?
The college does not receive any money from the student health insurance. Our role is to collect the premium and then pass it through directly to the insurance provider. This process is commonly referred to as a pass-through charge.
What is PacificSource’s role in the verification process?
The college’s HCC has defined the criteria for what meets comparable coverage. PacificSource is responsible for reviewing the details of your insurance plan to ensure it meets the college's criteria for comparable coverage. You may need to provide documentation to PacificSource in order for them to verify you have comparable coverage.
Will the college’s student health insurance cover me while I am studying abroad?
Students that are abroad who are enrolled in the college’s student health insurance plan are automatically covered on an international basis; any service covered locally is also covered internationally. This coverage is not limited to Urgent or Emergency care, however, Medical Tourism would still be excluded. If students need to access healthcare while abroad, they should collect as much documentation as they can from the health care provider. The next steps are to complete a claim form, include the aforementioned documentation, and send it to PacificSource for processing. Once processed, the claims are then reimbursed according to the student's in-network benefit. Additionally, students should reference the scholastic emergency services member guide. It includes the unique reference ID for PacificSource, as well as info on their mobile app which the college encourages students to download prior to leaving the US.
What if I want to cancel my waiver and be added to the college’s student health insurance plan?
Students are able to cancel the waiver before the first day of classes. To cancel a waiver, students need to contact student accounts (business-office@reed.edu) in the business office to rescind the waiver and enroll in the college’s student health insurance plan.
What if I lose my comparable coverage after the semester has begun?
If the college’s coverage is waived, and subsequently the student's insurance coverage is lost, students are required to enroll in comparable health insurance immediately and provide the new insurance information to the business office. Students may instead choose to enroll in the college’s student health insurance plan as this qualifies as a Life Qualifying Event. In order for students to enroll in the college's student health insurance plan, contact student accounts (business-office@reed.edu) in the business office.
Can MALS students be covered under the plan?
Enrollment in the student health insurance plan is voluntary for MALS students. Enrollment must be completed online with PacificSource each semester by the first day of classes.
If I waive the college’s student health insurance plan, can I still use the Health & Counseling Center (HCC)?
Students do not need to enroll in the Reed sponsored student health insurance plan to access services at the college’s Health & Counseling Center (HCC). Many services at the HCC are provided at no charge to students.
How do I file a claim?
Students may submit an insurance claim to PacificSource by uploading the claim through their InTouch account. Students can see the status of their claim in the system and see when a check has been mailed. Claims are usually paid in less than 30 days if submitted through InTouch.
Still have questions?
Please see PacificSource’s Frequently Asked Questions Guide or call PacificSource at 855-274-9814 or 541-225-2741 or Mike Pigou at USI NW at 503-417-9235.