health care FAQ

frequently asked questions

Please visit the PacificSource website for further questions http://www.pacificsource.com. More questions? Ask Lisa, lisa@gtff.net. Specific benefits questions? Call PacificSource directly – 541-684-5582.

When does coverage start?

For Fall term, September 16. You may not receive your forms, insurance card, etc. until after this date, but not to worry! Your insurance is retroactive back to September 16 even if you get your information afterwards. Coverage always starts the 16th of the first month of each quarter (if you enroll partway through the year instead of at the beginning).

Insurance runs from:

  • September 16 – December 15 for fall term
  • December 16 – March 15 for winter term
  • March 16 – June 15 for spring term
  • June 16 – September 15 for summer term
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Can I add dependents? Does that include Domestic Partners?

Yes, and Yes. If you choose not to insure your dependents when you initially enroll yourself, you will have the option to add them in September and in March, during one of the Open Enrollment periods. You can also add a new dependent within 30 days of a qualifying event (birth, adoption, marriage, domestic partnership). All dependent additions are effective on the nearest 16th of the month following their qualifying event. If you are adding a Domestic Partner, you will need to complete an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership (available at the GTFF Office, and electronically above), and have it notarized. The UO Bookstore has a notary service, and will do it for you for free.

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How much does insurance cost?

During the academic year (Fall, Winter, and Spring terms) the university pays 100% for your personal insurance, you pay nothing. If you choose to enroll dependents on the plan, you have to pay the following amounts per term:

  • just spouse or domestic partner $273.57
  • just child(ren) $83.79
  • family (spouse or domestic partner AND a child or children) $358.62.

The following rates apply for summer term coverage:

  • it is $242.43 for a GTF to stay on the plan for the summer term. Dependent summer rates are listed below. Summer term coverage runs from June 16 through September 15.
  • For a GTF and just spouse or domestic partner $501.84.
  • GTF and just child(ren) $317.52.
  • GTF and family (spouse or domestic partner AND a child or children) $573.93.

Note on payment: you can pay with a check, debit/credit, or payroll deduction. Checks should be made out to the GTFF Trust. To pay with credit/debit or to sign up for payroll deduction, see Lisa at the GTFF office.

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How much is my deductible?

The deductible is $100 per person and $300 per family before plan benefits begin. Please refer to the PacificSource handbook (available above for a complete description of coverage levels and provided services.

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What is payroll deduction?

A small amount of money is taken out of your paycheck each month and goes into your summer insurance account. By the time summer rolls around you will have automatically paid for your summer insurance in small, painless chunks throughout the year rather than one really large chunk in June. We strongly recommend this option! You can also fill out a payroll deduction form to cover dependent premiums during the academic year, instead of paying by check at the beginning of each term. Payroll Deduction Forms are available in the GTFF office. Did we mention that we strongly recommend this option?

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How do I sign up for summer coverage? Am I eligible?

If you are insured on the GTFF Health Plan during the spring term, and you ARE NOT graduating spring term, then you are eligible for the summer coverage. You will automatically be sent a bill in early June, to your home address (make sure you keep us updated of changes). If you want the coverage, just pay that bill and you will be covered through September 15th. Otherwise, ignore it, and your coverage will end June 15th.

New Summer GTFs are also eligible for the summer coverage, and will be asked to pay for it as they enroll. If you are a spring GTF, and fail to pay your summer bill, you will not be re-eligible based on a summer GTF appointment.

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If I had summer health insurance, do I need to sign up again in the fall?

No, no need to sign up again, if it’s just you. BUT – if you have dependents on the plan, you need to come into the GTFF office and pay the term costs for dependents.

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If I had coverage last school year, but didn’t have summer health insurance, do I need to re-apply?

Yes. Anytime there is a lapse in coverage, you need to come into the GTFF office and reapply for health insurance.

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How do I find a Preferred Provider?

The best place to look is on the the Provider Database on the PacificSource website (http://www.pacificsource.com/provider-networks.aspx). Under the Preferred Provider link, you’ll need to search the Preferred PSN Network to find all the medical and vision preferred doctors on our plan. All of the doctors are at the student health center are also considered preferred and covered at the full 90%. If you are traveling, the First Health Network will cover you at the full 90% anywhere in the U.S.

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Can I use the UO Student Health Center?

Yes. This is a very good option; it is on campus and very good for nearly all your medical and dental needs. However, if you use the Student Health Center, you will be responsible for filing your own claims. The Health Center will automatically bill your student account, but not PacificSource.

If you use the Student Health Center for medical services, you will need to:

  • request a claim form from them (it can take up to a week to get back, but happens in a few minutes in person)
  • fill out the top portion of it (with information from your insurance card)
  • send it in to PacificSource (the address is on your card)

If you use the Student Health Center to fill a prescription, you will need to:

  • attach your receipt to a prescription claim form(which you can print out from the link above or pick up in the GTFF office)
  • fill out the top portion (with information from your insurance card)
  • send it to PacificSource (the address is on your card)
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Do I have to pay up front?

In most cases, no. However, if you are using a non-preferred provider, or the pharmacy at the student health center, they might require some kind of payment. As long as you use preferred providers and major chain pharmacies, you should never have to pay up front. If you use the Student Health Center you can bill your student account.

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How do I file a claim?

If you are using a preferred provider, they should take care of all the claims processing for you. Be sure you give them your insurance information when you get there. If you are using a non preferred provider, or your doctor didn’t bill the insurance company, for whatever reason, there are claim forms in the GTFF office (and available electronically on the forms page) that can be attached to doctor/dentist bills and then sent in to PacificSource. If you are using the Student Health Center, see Can I use the Health Center.

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If I didn’t use the $200 for vision last year, can I use it this year? And when does vision restart?

Vision benefits do not carry over. So if you didn’t use it during the 2009-2010 school year, it’s gone. However, vision now restarts every September 16. Vision used to be every 12 months, but now it’s on the same cycle as the rest of the health insurance plan.

What is my group number?

It’s G0021003. Your ID number is the number shown on your insurance card.

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What is Pacific Source’s Address?

PacificSource
P.O Box 7068
Eugene, OR 97401
(541) 686-1242 or (800) 624-6052

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I have still have questions about our health care plan. Who do I contact?

You can refer to the Pacific Source Handbook (available electronically above) to find most answers to your questions. If you still cannot find the desired information or would like to speak with someone in person you may contact our benefits administrator at the GTFF office, Lisa Hamilton (541) 344-0832 or lisa@gtff.net. To contact Pacific Source directly, call (541)684-5582 or (888)977-9299.

Doctor Recommendations

Delta Ruscheinsky -Family Doctor-
(541) 687-1668
1835 Pearl St
Eugene, Oregon

Amy McCarthy -Women’s Care-
(541) 686-7007
330 South Garden Way Suite 220
Eugene, Oregon

Acorn Optical Dr. William Losie -Vision-
(541)686-1117
1680 Chambers Suite 101
Eugene, OR

Robert Stephenson -Dentist-
(541) 343-8527
700 Country Club Rd
Eugene, OR

Carolyn Cantrell -Dentist-
(541) 687-2156
2233 Willamette St, #B
Eugene, OR

William MacMaster -Family Doctor-
(541)688-3000
217 Division Ave.
Eugene, OR

Kathleen Dugan -Licensed Massage Therapist-
(541)450-9978
5 East 24th Ave
Eugene, OR

Hannah Shallice -Licensed Physical Therapist-
(541)242-4470
1835 Pearl St
Eugene, OR