Human Resources

SOU Health Insurance

Check out PEBB’s February Newsletter for information about 90-day supplies for maintenance medicaltions. 1095C tax documents are sent by PEBB and arrive between the end of February & mid-March. Providence is now partnered with Collective Health. Use Collective Health’s member portal to access Providence member & benefit information. Check out the Garner Health Program to get reimubrsed for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Southern Oregon University is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our employees by offering a comprehensive and flexible benefits package. Through the Public Employees’ Benefit Board (PEBB), the labor-management board that designs, contracts, and administers benefits for State of Oregon employees, SOU employees have access to a range of coverage options designed to meet individual and family needs.

Providence Members

Starting with the 2026 plan year, Providence members will receive new ID cards, with new ID numbers, as Providence has partnered with Collective Health. If you have not received your card or need to access benefits, visit the Providence Collective Health portal (link in left menu) and click “Register Now.” You will need your PEBB ID number, found in PEBBenroll.com under “Benefit #” beginning with “P.”

General Health Benefits Information

Benefit Tax Documents - Form 1095C

The Form 1095-C is an Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage tax document issued under the Affordable Care Act. It is provided through coordination between the universities and the Public Employees’ Benefits Board (PEBB), and PEBB mails the form directly to employees. Most employees receive it between mid-February and early March each year. In accordance with IRS guidelines, the Form 1095-C is not required to file a tax return. Employees who prefer to file earlier may do so without waiting for this form.

Summary Information

The SOU Benefit Summary is given to all new hires at the Benefits Orientation (included in calendar invite documents) and is available for prospective hires as well (prospective employees should review the HR’s Why SOU webpage for more details). For detailed benefits information, refer to the Core, Optional, and Wellness tabs below.

Core Health Benefits cover medical, dental, vision, and an automatic $10,000 of employee life insurance (medical election is required to participate, though opting out is considered a medical election, declining is not). Employees pay either 3% or 5% of the total benefit premium cost, depending on what medical plan they elect. Employees enrolling in the lowest-cost medical plan will pay 3% for their core benefits premiums, and employees enrolled in either of the other plans will pay 5%(Opt-out employees pay 5% for any other core benefits).

Optional Health Benefits include life insurance, disability insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, long-term care, and flex-spending accounts. The employee pays 100% of these premiums.

Wellness Programs are available and provide information, assistance, and resources to employees, encouraging a wholesome and complete lifestyle.

Helpful Resources

Enroll online at PEBBenroll.com
Visit PEBB’s New Hire Resources page for general info about PEBB
Watch PEBB’s New Hire Video to learn about your PEBB benefits, important dates, and deadlines to remember
Find more information on the PEBB website by visiting PEBBinfo.com
Information specifically for 2026 PEBB plans can be found on the PEBB 2026 Information webpage
Use the 2026 PEBB Enrollment Guide
Use the 2026 Benefit Plan Comparison Summary or PEBB’s Plan Comparison Tool to compare Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
Use the PEBB Premium Estimator Tool to determine the cost of core benefits
Find other forms on the PEBB Forms page

Eligibility, Enrollment Window, & Covering Dependents

Eligibility requires employees to work over 90 days and at least half-time or more. Any other form of eligibility would come from notification from the Benefits Officer, such as qualifying for health benefits coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Irregular instructors or faculty members may qualify for PEBB health coverage if working over 8 ELUs in one term, which is typically equivalent to a half-time position. Effective October 1, 2021, Senate Bill 551 was passed into law and allows benefits for qualifying part-time faculty who may otherwise be ineligible. Visit the SOU Part-Time Faculty Benefits (Senate Bill 551) webpage for more details.

NEW HIRE ENROLLMENT WINDOW

Employees have 30 days from their date of hire to make benefit elections and to change elections.

If no elections are made after 30 days, the employee would be considered a Decline. Employees who decline benefits may enroll during the annual Open Enrollment period in the month of October, which takes effect January 1 of the coming plan year, or if they have a qualifying Midyear Change event. Outside of these enrollment opportunities, employees can appeal to enroll midyear with PEBB (details listed under the ‘Changing Elections’ tab).
If the employee already has other group medical coverage, instead of Declining PEBB coverage, they may consider opting out of medical. Opt-outs can still enroll in dental, vision, and optional benefits, and will receive a monthly cash incentive in their paycheck of $233/month (prorated if part-time). More details about opting out can be found in PEBB’s Opt Out and Declining Summary. Employees MUST enroll to participate and receive the Opt-out benefit, and must complete Open Enrollment annually to continue to receive the Opt-out benefit.

ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS

Eligible dependents include a spouse or domestic partner (see section below for domestic partners) and dependent children. PEBB reviews dependent eligibility and will contact members who enroll dependents under their plans for documentation proving the dependent is eligible. Review PEBB’s dependent eligibility information here.

PEBB DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP

To enroll a domestic partner, members must also complete and submit a PEBB Domestic Partner Affidavit form within their 30-day enrollment window. Domestic partnership requires the employee to pay an Imputed Value Tax, which is a pre-determined dollar amount that the employee is taxed on for core benefits that the partner and/or partner’s children are enrolled in. For additional information about requirements and documents needed for a domestic partnership, review the PEBB Domestic Partner FAQ. If the domestic partner is a tax dependent, the PEBB Domestic Partner Tax Status form may be submitted to remove the Imputed Value tax (Affidavit only needs to be submitted at the time of enrollment, Tax Status form must be submitted annually before December payroll).

Enrolling in Benefits

PEBB allows newly hired or newly eligible employees a 30-day window from their start date to enroll in coverage; members may also correct enrollments within this time period. PEBB members can enroll online by visiting PEBBenroll.com within their 30-day enrollment window. When enrolling online, new members will click the ‘register here’ button and will input their legal first name, legal last name, date of birth (use dashes for dates mm-dd-yyyy), ID Type will be ‘university ID number’, and input your SOU ID number (starts with 940 or 941 and is nine digits, available in Workday under employee profile). Benefits will take effect on the first of the following month after enrollments are submitted. If needed, paper enrollment forms are available below:

Once completed, forms can be digitally submitted to HR by uploading them to the HR Secure Inbox.

DID YOU MISS YOUR NEW HIRE ENROLLMENT WINDOW?

Employees who miss their 30-day enrollment window may enroll midyear if they have a qualifying midyear event or during the annual Open Enrollment period in October (coverage starting January 1 of the following year). Outside of these enrollment opportunities, employees may appeal to enroll with PEBB. More information about these enrollment opportunities and Appeals can be found on the next tab under ‘Changing Elections’.

Opportunities to Change Enrollments

Newly benefits-eligible employees may enroll in plans and change plan elections within their first 30 days of hire or eligibility. Outside of this 30-day window, employees may update benefits during our annual Open Enrollment period or if they have a qualifying mid-year event. Plan changes outside of these opportunities may be possible if the member Appeals to enroll or change plans, which is approved or denied by PEBB. Details about these enrollment opportunities are explained below.

OPEN ENROLLMENT

Visit the HR Open Enrollment webpage for details about Open Enrollment.

Members can adjust benefit elections annually during PEBB’s Open Enrollment period, which is October 1-31 for all benefits-eligible employees. Open Enrollment is mandatory and requires benefit-eligible employees to log into the PEBBenroll.com member system to re-save their benefits or make necessary changes.

MIDYEAR PLAN CHANGES

Outside of Open Enrollment, existing employees may change benefits midyear if they have a qualifying status change. PEBB has created a Midyear Plan Change Matrix of qualifying events, which states what benefits are available to change. If a member has a qualifying mid-year event, they can submit the Midyear Change form to HR within 30 days of the event date. Changes submitted will take effect on the first of the following month after the event. Also, if adding a new baby to coverage, babies are covered under the subscriber for the first 30 days automatically.

PEBB APPEAL PROCESS

If employees miss their 30-day new hire enrollment window or if they have missed enrolling midyear within 30 days of a qualifying event, they can appeal to PEBB to make changes to plans outside of the standard enrollment opportunities. To file an Appeal with PEBB, members are required to complete the PEBB Appeal form, stating what the issue is and what action they would like PEBB to take, and accompany that with a PEBB Midyear Change form, selecting the enrollment changes they wish to make. Appeals must be sent directly to PEBB’s Appeals email, benefit.appeals@odhsoha.oregon.gov, which will review the submitted forms and either approve or deny the Appeal. If approved, coverage changes typically take effect on the first of the following month after forms are submitted, though this will be communicated by PEBB.

Monthly Benefits Premiums

Visit HR’s Total Compensation Calculator webpage to further discover the significance of SOUs benefits package and how it is an important complement to salary.

MOST PREMIUMS PAID A MONTH IN ADVANCE

Most health insurance premiums are paid a month in advance. Therefore, if enrollments are submitted after the month’s payroll cutoff (typically the 15th of the month) and health insurance is intended to begin the first of the following month, the employee may pay for two months of premiums in that following month’s payroll, depending on pay period and when the first check is processed. For example, if an employee submits their benefit elections on January 30, coverage will take effect on February 1, but because the elections were made after the January 15 payroll cutoff, the employee will pay for January and February coverage in the February payroll. NOTE: Flexible Spending premiums are the only enrollments paid the month the contribution is due (for example, January contribution covers January).

COST OF MONTHLY PREMIUMS

For Core benefits (medical, dental, vision, and $10k of basic life insurance), employees pay 3% or 5% of the monthly premiums, and SOU covers the rest of the cost (SB551 eligible faculty pay 10% for medical, dental, and vision). If the employee enrolls in the lowest-cost medical plan available to them, they will pay 3% for all Core benefit monthly premiums. If the employee enrolls in any of the other medical plans that are not the lowest cost, then the employee will pay 5% for all Core benefit premiums. Employees enrolled to Opt-out of medical-out of medical will get a monthly incentive of $233 (prorated if part-time) and will pay 5% for the $10k of basic life insurance, dental, and vision.

For Optional benefits, employees pay 100% of the premiums. Health insurance premiums are automatically taken out of the employee’s paycheck after the employee has enrolled.

To estimate the cost of your monthly premiums, use the PEBB Premium Estimator Tool.

CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE SUBSIDY

Classified employees whose full-time 1.0 FTE salary or equivalent is less than or equal to Salary Range 11 Step 10 (effective 11/1/2025, SR 11 Step 10 equals $3798/month or $21.91/hour). If eligible, SOU will pay up to $40/month to help cover the cost of the employees’ 3% or 5% portion of Core benefit premiums. Visit the HR Shared Governance webpage to review the Classified employee SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement.

ACADEMIC YEAR EMPLOYEES

Employees who are paid on the academic year cycle and are determined to return the following academic year will pay summer health premiums over the academic year. Some irregular academic year employees and non-teaching academic year employees may pay premiums in May or June for summer coverage. Renewable faculty in 9 or 10-month positions may contact Payroll about enrolling in Deferred Pay (spreading pay over 12 months). If interested in Deferred Pay, check out the SOU Payroll website for more information.

2026 Perscription Changes - 90-Day Supplies

Starting with the 2026 plan year, Providence and Moda members will be required to use the 90-day pharmacy program for certain maintenance medications. Maintenance medications are drugs taken regularly to treat ongoing conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, or diabetes. If you take a medication included in this program, you will have two options:

Use your plan’s mail-order pharmacy, or
Fill your prescription at a preferred retail pharmacy. Preferred pharmacies include many national chains and independent pharmacies. Visit your medical plan’s website to search for participating locations near you.

No matter which option you pick, you will receive a 90-day supply of your medicine. Your copay will be the same as if you paid for two and a half 30-day supplies of medication. If you decide not to use these options, you may pay the full price for your medicine. Also, the money you pay won’t count toward your plan’s deductible or the plan’s out-of-pocket maximum. Additional details and resources about 90-day medication supplies were included in the February 2026 PEBB newsletter.

If you have prescription medications that are not covered by your insurance, or you are looking for additional ways to reduce out-of-pocket costs, there are several free discount options you may consider:

ArrayRx is Oregon’s state-sponsored prescription discount program, available at no cost to Oregon residents. You can use the card at many participating pharmacies to save on both generic and brand-name medications. With ArrayRx, discounts may be available on all FDA-approved prescriptions, and you could save up to 80% on generic drugs and up to 20% on brand-name drugs, though actual savings vary by pharmacy and drug price. The program has no income, age, or enrollment requirements and is free to join.
There are several other national prescription discount services, such as GoodRx, SingleCare, Optum Perks, and similar programs, that offer free coupons or digital discount cards. These programs do not require you to use insurance and can sometimes provide savings on many commonly prescribed medications. Savings amounts vary widely depending on the pharmacy and the specific drug.
Many drug manufacturers also offer coupons or patient assistance programs that can reduce the cost of specific medications, especially brand-name drugs. Availability and eligibility vary by medication and manufacturer. You can search online or ask your pharmacy for available discounts. Your doctor or pharmacist may also be able to recommend programs that could help lower your prescription costs.

If you are using prescription discount programs and not using insurance, costs paid towards prescriptions will not count towards your prescription deductible or out-of-pocket max.

Whether your prescriptions are covered by your insurance or not, please be reminded that if you have an out-of-pocket expense for prescriptions, you may be able to be reimbursed through the Garner program. Garner is partnered with Providence and Moda medical plans to help members find high-quality, cost-effective care. When you visit a Garner-approved provider, you may be reimbursed for eligible out-of-pocket expenses. This includes your deductible, copay, or coinsurance. It also includes other services like labs, prescriptions, and X-rays when they’re ordered by a provider who is in the Garner program.

You may be repaid up to:

$1,000 per year, if you have individual coverage.
$2,000 per year, if you cover yourself and family members

For more information about the Garner program, please check out the Wellness & Other Perks section near the bottom of this webpage.

Detailed Health Benefits Information

Core Health Benefits

MEMBER ID CARDS

Please note that member ID cards for medical and Delta Dental plans should arrive within a few weeks. However, once enrollments have been fed over to provider systems, members can log in via the member portal to view enrollments and member ID information (group numbers are listed under the Forms and Resources tab to the right). Willamette Dental and VSP members DO NOT GET MEMBER CARDS; member enrollment information will be in the provider systems (service locations can be found below and on the PEBB website).

MEDICAL PLANS

Check out the PEBB CORE Benefits Plan summary document for more information, or use PEBB’s Online Plan Comparison Tool. Providence and Moda members also have access to the Garner Health program, which can connect members with top providers and reimburse members for out-of-pocket expenses. Available medical plans:

Providence Statewide

Providence Statewide
- Employee pays 5% of Core benefit premiums for the 2026 plan year
- A nationwide network with numerous providers in the plan, where employees do not need referrals and typically pay 15% for most services.
- Use Providence’s Provider Search Tool to find in-network providers and service locations.
- Log in to the Providence Collective Health Online Member System.
- Providence Member Handbooks and Benefit Summaries
- Find additional perks for Providence members on the Providence webpage for PEBB members, which include:
  - One Pass Select, a fitness and on-demand workout program;
  - LifeBalance, a program that allows access to over 20,000 recreational, cultural, and travel-related activities;
  - Providence Health Coaching;
  - Health and Wellness Classes;
  - WW (Weight Watchers);
  - Behavior Health Concierge, a program to access virtual appointments at no cost, with Providence-licensed behavior health professionals;
  - Learn to Live, a virtual self-directed program that can help with social anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, and substance use;
  - Talkspace, a virtual therapy service that provides behavioral health and emotional wellness support through online counseling sessions;
  - Neurodiversity Care;
  - Gender-affirming care;
  - As well as many others.

Moda Synergy

Moda Synergy
- Employee pays 3% of Core benefit premiums for the 2026 plan year
- The network is defined within counties in Oregon, and as long as providers are in-network and you have PCP 360 elected on file (location of primary doctor)
- Members do not need referrals and often pay about $10 for most services
- Use Moda’s Provider Search Tool to find in-network providers and service locations.
- Log in to the myModa Member Dashboard.
- Moda Member Handbooks
- Moda Member Benefit Summaries
- Find additional perks for Moda members on the Moda webpage for PEBB members, which include:
  - Sword, a digital physical therapist program;
  - Sprout, a digital wellness program where you can set goals, use activity trackers, share tips, and access engaging videos and articles;
  - Meru Health, a digital therapy program;
  - Active&Fit Direct, a gym membership discount program offering ;
  - WW (Weight Watchers);
  - CerrusMD, a program where you can text a doctor 24/7;
  - Health Coaching, talk one-on-one with health coaches to set goals, understand your health, and make diet and exercise manageable;
  - Nutrition programs;
  - Gender-affirming care;
  - As well as many others.

Providence Choice

Providence Choice
- Employee pays 3% of Core benefit premiums for the 2026 plan year
- The network is defined within counties in Oregon, and members must obtain referrals for specialty services
- Members often pay about $10 for most services.
- Use Providence’s Provider Search Tool to find in-network providers and service locations.
- Log in to the Providence Collective Health Online Member System.
- Providence Member Handbooks and Benefit Summaries
- Find additional perks for Providence members on the Providence webpage for PEBB members, which include:
  - One Pass Select, a fitness and on-demand workout program;
  - LifeBalance, a program that allows access to over 20,000 recreational, cultural, and travel-related activities;
  - Providence Health Coaching;
  - Health and Wellness Classes;
  - WW (Weight Watchers);
  - Behavior Health Concierge, a program to access virtual appointments at no cost, with Providence-licensed behavior health professionals;
  - Learn to Live, a virtual self-directed program that can help with social anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, and substance use;
  - Talkspace, a virtual therapy service that provides behavioral health and emotional wellness support through online counseling sessions;
  - Neurodiversity Care;
  - Gender-affirming care;
  - As well as many others.

Kaiser Medical Plans (not available in Southern Oregon)

Kaiser plans are only available to employees who reside between Eugene and Portland
More details are available on the PEBBinfo.com webpage.

DENTAL PLANS

Through Moda, PEBB members have access to two Delta Dental plans (through Moda), which require the member to elect a dentist within the network. Willamette Dental is also available, which is a clinic location, with one clinic in Medford, Grants Pass, and more clinics located across the state; members do not elect their dentist but are rather scheduled with whoever is available at their clinic, though members’ out-of-pocket costs for services are greatly reduced. Check out the PEBB CORE Benefits Plan summary document for more information, or use PEBB’s Online Plan Comparison Tool. Available dental plans:

Kaiser Dental

Kaiser plans are only available to those who live or work between Eugene and Portland
More information is available on the PEBBinfo.com webpage
Plan documents and Resources

VISION

VSP (Vision Service Plan) is the only vision plan available to PEBB members, though members can upgrade to Vision Plus, which allows a better benefit for glasses. VSP is a national provider with many local eye centers in its network. Check out the PEBB CORE Benefits Plan summary document for more information or use PEBB’s Online Plan Comparison Tool. (Note: VSP members do not get vision cards. Instead, find a local vision center and share your medical ID card with them, and they can find you in the VSP system. Members who opt out of medical can use their PEBB ID number.)

Review VSP coverage and find providers:

Optional Health Benefits

Optional Benefits: Optional Life, Disability, Long Term Care, & Flexible Spending Accounts

Employees who enroll in optional benefits pay 100% of the cost of premiums. Employees may have other benefits available to them through their elected medical insurance provider.

Employee and Spouse/Partner Optional Life Insurance

EMPLOYEE: When employees are first eligible for health insurance, they have a one-time allowable enrollment of up to $100k of guaranteed issue coverage without having to do a medical history statement. Employees can enroll in up to $600k of coverage but are required to complete a medical history statement, and if approved, can enroll in additional coverage. If the employee enrolls in no life insurance or less than the $100k guaranteed issue amount, they must complete a medical history statement for any increase in the future. This is term life insurance, which means that the insurance benefit is payable only if the insured person dies during the period specified by the policy (while covered under the plan). The beneficiary receives the benefit payment if the insured person dies while covered under the policy. In this case, that is, while the person is a PEBB-eligible state employee whose premium payments are current. The Standard pays the benefit upon death from any cause (excluding suicide during the first two years of coverage).

SPOUSE/PARTNER: When employees are first eligible for health insurance, they have a one-time allowable enrollment of up to $20k of guaranteed issue coverage for their spouse or domestic partner without having to do a medical history statement. Employees can enroll their spouse or domestic partners in up to $400k of coverage, though the spouse or domestic partner is required to complete a medical history statement, and if approved, they can be enrolled in additional coverage. If the employee does not enroll their spouse or domestic partner in life insurance within their new hire 30-day enrollment window, a medical history statement is required for any enrollment and increase in the future. This is term life insurance. Term life insurance means that the insurance benefit is payable only if the insured person dies during a specified period. The beneficiary receives the benefit payment if the insured person dies while covered under the policy. In this case, that is, while the employee who purchases the coverage is a PEBB-eligible state employee, and premium payments for the coverage are current. Spouses and domestic partners are eligible for

If enrolling in life insurance coverage over the guaranteed issue amount that is available to newly eligible employees (within the 30-day enrollment window), then the medical history statement is required. This can be accessed on the PEBB Life Insurance webpage (about halfway down) and on The Standard’s webpage for PEBB members under the forms section.

Dependent Life
This is term life insurance. The beneficiary (the enrolled employee) is the recipient for individuals who die while covered under the policy.
In this case, that is when the employee who purchases the coverage is a PEBB-eligible state employee, and premium payments for the coverage are current.

Short-Term Disability
The benefit covers 60 percent of your insured earnings. For short-term disability, the insured earnings amount is based on your weekly earnings in effect on your last full day of work. When your insured earnings increase (for example, with a pay increase), your monthly premium increases. Insured earnings do not include overtime pay, bonuses, or dollars received when you opt out of medical coverage. (Note: Temporary employees cannot enroll in disability.)

To learn more about Short-Term Disability and the differences between Paid Leave Oregon, check out this recording between PEBB and The Standard, which manages our Short-Term Disability benefit. For detailed information about Paid Leave Oregon, visit our HR Leave Information webpage. Please note that Paid Leave Oregon only covers employees who reside in Oregon.

Long Term Disability
The benefit covers a percentage of your monthly insured earnings. You determine the percentage when you choose from the four options. For long-term disability, the insured earnings amount is based on your monthly earnings in effect on your last full day of work. When your insured earnings increase (for example, with a pay increase), your monthly premium increases. Insured earnings do not include overtime pay, bonuses, or dollars received when you opt out of medical coverage. (Note: Temporary employees cannot enroll in disability.)

Accidental Death and Dismemberment
The AD&D plan provides 24-hour coverage for accidental loss of life or limb loss for employees and their eligible dependents. You may select a coverage amount from $50,000 to $500,000, in increments of $50,000.

Long-Term Care
Members eligible for long-term care insurance can enroll for coverage at any time, though there is a guaranteed issue amount of coverage available to members who enroll within their 30-day enrollment window. During Open Enrollment, you can begin the enrollment process online through your record in the benefits system; however, you will still need to submit forms from the carrier, UNUM, directly to PEBB.

Please note that UNUM, the company that manages Long Term Care for PEBB, will stop accepting new enrollments starting February 1, 2026. This change only affects NEW enrollments. This is a nationwide decision from UNUM and includes all PEBB members. PEBB is actively reviewing options for a new Long-Term Care provider and will notify members when the new provider becomes available.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), which are administered through ASIFlex for PEBB members, offer a tax-advantaged way to cover certain out-of-the-pocket expenses. These accounts allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars to reimburse yourself for IRS-qualified expenses, reducing your tax liability. FSA funds are use-it-or-lose-it, meaning any funds you contribute must be used by the end of the plan year (plan year ends December 31 annually, but PEBB allows a grace period until March 15 of the following year, requiring all funds to be used by then and reimbursements submitted by March 31). FSA enrollments require monthly contributions and cannot be stopped or changed mid-year unless the member has a qualifying mid-year event. Detailed information about FSAs and how to use them can be found in the PEBB Summary Plan Description on pages 58-68. There are a few different types of FSA accounts available under PEBB:

Health Care FSA – Used to cover IRS-qualified health-related expenses that your plan does not cover.
- The minimum monthly contribution is $20, and the maximum annual contribution cannot exceed $3,300 in the 2026 calendar year.
- Member funds are available on day one of the plan year or on the effective date of coverage if enrollments start mid-year.
- Only Health Care FSA members can sign up for an FSA debit card to use in place of paying out-of-pocket and seeking reimbursement. Members must keep all receipts in case ASIFlex asks to review the purchase.
Dependent Care FSA – Used to cover expenses relating to daycare or similar services, enabling you to work.
- The minimum monthly contribution is $20, and the maximum annual contribution cannot exceed $7,500 per household in a calendar year.
- Member funds are available for reimbursement after contributions are made (cannot be reimbursed for funds not yet contributed).
Commuter/Parking and Transportation FSA – Used to cover parking and transit or vanpooling expenses as they relate to work. These specific accounts may not benefit most SOU employees, as we pay for campus parking pre-tax through the SOU Parking system, and qualified employees are eligible for free bus passes.

If enrolling in an FSA, you’ll be asked to provide the number of pay events in a year (meaning how many months you are paid in). For Academic Year employees, this is typically 10 pay events in a calendar year (half-month pay in September and half-month pay in June), which is when the Academic Year employee is usually on contract (benefits do not come out for Academic Year employees over the summer, even if they are working temporary assignments).

FSAs provide a valuable opportunity to save on eligible expenses while maximizing your take-home pay. Plan ahead and take advantage of this benefit during Open Enrollment each October.

Wellness & Other Perks

More Wellness-related resources can be found at PEBB’s Wellness Central webpage. Additional perks for SOU employees, including free bus passes, staff tuition benefit, and deals/discounts, can be found on the HR Perks and Discounts webpage.

Garner Health

Providence Health Plan and Moda Health partner with Garner, a tool that helps you find high-quality care. When you visit a Garner-approved Top Provider, you can be repaid for the costs you pay for your visit. This includes your deductible, copay, or coinsurance. It also includes other services like labs, prescriptions, and X-rays when they’re ordered by your Top Provider. You may be repaid up to:

$1,000 per year, if you have individual coverage.
$2,000 per year, if you cover yourself and family members.

Garner is especially useful when looking for specialists or a new provider. Check out the links below to get started:

Go to getgarner.com to create an account
Garner is available to answer questions at 458-488-4828
Garner Resources Guide
Garner FAQs

24/7 Telehealth
The doctor will see you now – on your smartphone, tablet, or computer! Telemedicine is available to all PEBB members at no cost! PEBB members and their dependents can talk with a healthcare worker while at work, at home, at school, or anywhere if a health issue is a concern.

Providence Choice and PEBB Statewide – Express Care Virtual is our licensed and board-certified providers, and they are here to see you from 8 a.m. to midnight. No appointment is needed.
- PEBB members receive a diagnosis and treatment plan, even a prescription or doctor’s note if needed, all at no cost to the member.
- Just go to Express Care Virtual to get started.
Moda – Moda members can access CirrusMD by logging into their Member Dashboard at www.modahealth.com/pebb or CirrusMD website at patients.cirrusmd.com/modahealth.
- CirrusMD is a text-based virtual care app that lets you connect to a doctor in seconds from your phone or computer.
- CirrusMD is available at no cost to the member. Doctors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and prescribe medication if necessary.
- Members can also access our Nurse Advice Line by calling 800-501-5046 for help with medical issues ranging from home-care remedies to recommended emergency care at no cost.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP ) – Canopy Wellbeing
Southern Oregon University contracts with Canopy Wellbeing (formerly known as Cascade Centers, Inc.) to provide a comprehensive EAP for eligible employees and their dependents. The EAP is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL benefit that can assist you and your eligible family members with any personal problems, large or small. A summary of services can be found here, and more detailed information on the HR Employee Assistance Program webpage.

Tobacco Cessation with Quit for Life
Using tobacco costs you more than just what you pay at the counter. PEBB members who use tobacco have $25 deducted monthly from their pay to offset the known risks for health care costs they bring to their health plan. You can end the deduction after you quit by filling out a Mid-year Change form. Members who use tobacco also have higher rates for optional life insurance. They can get the lower non-tobacco rate when they don’t use tobacco for 12 months prior to the next Open Enrollment.

Members in PEBB Statewide, Providence Choice, or Moda plans:
- Call Quit for Life at 1-866-QUIT-4-LIFE (1-866-784-8454). There is also a chat feature.
Members in a Kaiser Permanente plan:
- Call the “Talk With a Health Coach” service at 503-286-6816 or 1-866-301-3866 (toll-free) and select option 2.

Your PEBB benefits give you comprehensive support to quit through no-cost access to:

Consultations with a trained Quit Coach who knows how tough it can be to quit and ways you can stay or get back on track.
Materials to help you plan and stick to a personalized quit program
Nicotine replacement therapy
Coverage of certain prescribed medications to help you quit

Many have been able to quit on their own, but the chances of being successful are eight times greater with support. Whatever your reasons for wanting to quit, start your plan today!

Travel Assistance

PEBB members who enroll in optional life insurance will have access to The Standard’s Travel Assistance program, which offers worldwide medical assistance and medical transport, personal security services, and trip/pre-trip assistance.

WW (formerly Weight Watchers)
WeightWatchers is committed to helping you reach your wellness goals – to lose weight, eat healthier, move more, and develop a more positive mindset, or all of the above.

Who is eligible:

Anyone age 18 or older enrolled in a PEBB medical plan can sign up at NO COST to you.
To learn more, visit PEBB.ww.com.

If you have any questions or issues, call 1-866-454-2144.

Fitness Discount Programs (Available through Providence plans and Moda plans)

Moda Synergy medical members or Delta Dental members: As a Moda Health or Delta Dental member, you have access to the Active&Fit Direct program. With memberships starting at $28 a month, you can choose from over 12,200 participating gyms nationwide.
- The program offers:
  - A free guest pass to try out a gym before joining
  - A robust online library of on-demand workout videos
  - Access to online directory maps and a health club locator from any device
  - Online tracking from a variety of wearable fitness devices, apps, and exercise equipment
- To join the program:
  1. Log in to your Moda Member Dashboard account and open the benefits drop-down menu
  2. Select Benefit Programs
  3. Select Gym discounts with Active & Fit Direct
  4. Members should contact their gym of choice before signing up to see if there are any additional membership conditions or requirements
- More information and additional programs available can be found on the Moda site for PEBB members under the ‘Wellness Resources’ menu.
Providence medical members: As a Providence member, you have access to the One Pass Select program. The One Pass program gives you access to gyms, studios, online workouts, and grocery delivery with one monthly membership. Monthly membership tiers can vary in cost depending on the tier enrolled in.
- The program offers:
  - Access to a large network of gyms and members may try classes like yoga, cycling, or group training
  - If you prefer to work out at home, you can join live, online fitness classes and explore on-demand workouts
  - Perks may include grocery delivery services with some tiers
  - Family memberships are also available
- To join the program:
  - Go to OnePassSelect.com and create a profile (you will need your PEBB ID number, which can be found by logging into the PEBBenroll.com member portal; it starts with the letter ‘P’)
  - Choose your coverage tier
  - Then select classes, gyms, or other perks that you’d like to access
- More information about the program can be found on the Providence site for PEBB members under the ‘diet and exercise’ header.

Forms and Resources

Use PEBB’s Forms webpage to search for enrollment forms, change forms, or required affidavits.

Resources

SOU’s Agency Code under PEBB is 58040
Contact PEBB
- Phone – 503-373-1102
- Email – pebb.benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov
- Fax – 503-373-1654
PEBB Website – PEBBinfo.com
Insurance Plan Contacts (phone numbers, member documents/portals, etc.)
Domestic Partnership Information
PEBB Premium Cost Estimator Tool
Plan Documents
Flex Spending Tax Saving Accounts (link to ASIFlex, which manages flex spending for PEBB)
PEBB Summary Plan Description
PEBB News and Events

Medical Group Numbers

PEBB Statewide: 108601 (this is the 2025 group number; a new group number for 2026 will be available soon)
Providence Choice: 106528 (this is the 2025 group number; a new group number for 2026 will be available soon)
Moda Synergy: 10002802

Dental Group Numbers

Delta Dental (Moda) PPO: 10002802
Delta Dental (Moda) Premier: 10002802
Willamette Dental: OR90

Vision Group Number

VSP Basic/Plus: 12179989 (No insurance cards for vision, use medical ID or PEBB ID number, and the provider will find you in the VSP system)

Contact HR

Churchill Hall 159
1250 Siskiyou Boulevard
Ashland, OR 97520
Email: hrs@sou.edu
Phone: (541) 552-8553
Fax: (541) 552-8508
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. [excluding university holidays]
Request an Appointment