Insurance Options for PSU Scholars
Visiting Scholars at PSU have two options for health insurance coverage depending upon whether you will be an employee of the university or at the university with a “Courtesy Appointment” (not paid or financially sponsored by PSU).
LewerMark PSU Scholar Insurance Plan
- The LewerMark PSU Scholar Insurance Plan provides comprehensive health care coverage and meets all insurance requirements of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
- The LewerMark is a mandatory insurance plan. PSU requires all scholars and dependents to be enrolled in the LewerMark plan unless they are a PSU employee with insurance or a "sponsored" scholar (see below).
PSU Employee Benefits + Evacuation & Repatriation + Temporary Insurance
- If eligible, you may enroll in the employee benefits medical insurance plan (PEBB). Depending upon your position, your host department may pay part or all of your insurance premiums. If you are not eligible for employee benefits, you must use the LewerMark plan.
- PEBB does not include Evacuation & Repatriation (E&R) coverage. You will need to purchase it separately. E&R insurance is available through LewerMark and other insurance companies.
- PEBB insurance coverage begins on the first of the month after your program start date. Therefore, if your program starts on any day other than the first of the month, you will need to purchase the LewerMark PSU Scholar Insurance Plan to cover you and your family members until the PEBB insurance goes into effect on the first of the next month.
- For employee benefits information, see the Human Resources Benefits Overview web page.
"Sponsored" Scholar Insurance
Scholars whose J-1 visas are sponsored by organizations such as Fulbright, AmidEast, LASPAU and others, may be enrolled in insurance plans provided by their sponsor. Sponsored scholars should contact the PSU Office of International Student and Scholar Services to ensure they are enrolled in the appropriate insurance plan.
Detailed information about the insurance requirements, plan options, and step-by-step enrollment instructions are available to all scholars in their Homebase account.