Student Health Insurance
Central Oregon Community College does not offer student health insurance. At the same time, the college does not require students to have health insurance coverage in order to enroll in courses and to participate in related activities and events. However, under the Affordable Health Care Act there is a fee for people who do not have health insurance.
COCC's insurance company has informed us that due to the Affordable Health Care Act, the benefits that must be provided by the act, the costs, and the risks that the insurance companies must take in providing the coverage, insurance companies will no longer be able to provide student health care insurance for higher education.
If this changes, COCC's insurance company will let us know and direct us to which insurance company is offering coverage for students in higher education.
Therefore, at this time there will not be any student health care brochures available for students.
Local Medical Resources
Limited physical and mental health services for in-district residents are also offered at low or minimal costs through the following county health departments. Please visit their websites for locations, hours, and services:
- Bend: Deschutes County Health Services. The clinic is conveniently located in downtown Bend, easily accessible by CET* bus
(Route 3 - Stop A "Greenwood at Bond").
- Redmond: Deschutes County Health Services
- Madras: Jefferson County Health Services
Summit Medical Group (previously Bend Memorial Clinic) - Westside offers both routine medical services by appointment and after hours urgent care.
They are located in The Old Mill District, less than 10 minutes by car from the COCC
campus. They also have a nearby stop on the CET* bus (Route 2 - Stop D,"Bond at Old
Mill District"). The clinic offers urgent care seven days per week, hours vary so
please check their website. Holiday hours available as well. Summit Medical Group
also has clinics located on the east side of Bend and in Redmond.
Mosaic Medical offers accessible quality medical care and their fees are based on a sliding scale
for qualifying patients with limited or no insurance. Their Bend clinic is located
on the east side and can be accessed via the CET bus line (Route 5-6, "27th Street
at Micks Way" stop). They also have offices in Redmond, Madras, and Prineville. Please
follow the link provided above to view their hours, locations, and services provided.
Bend's community hospital, St. Charles Medical Center (SCMC) is located on the east side. The CET bus line has a stop on Neff Road, the
main street that fronts the hospital, but still requires a walk of about 8-10 minutes
to the hospital itself (Route 5-6, "SCMC" stop). The SCMC system also has hospitals
in Madras and Prineville. Follow the link provided above to view their hours, locations,
and services provided.
Volunteers in Medicine of Central Oregon provides healthcare on a donation basis to working adults in Deschutes County with no medical insurance or means to pay for care. Volunteers in Medicine has offices located on the southwest corner of the St. Charles Medical Center campus.
Oregon Health Plan and the Affordable Health Care Act
Most Oregonians can enroll in private insurance through HealthCare.gov or low-cost coverage through the Oregon Health Plan.
Oregon Health Plan offers free or low-cost coverage for people who meet requirements
for income, residency and other factors. This coverage includes doctor visits, hospital
care, mental health services, dental, some vision care and more.
Learn more about the Oregon Health Plan.
The Affordable Health Care Act offers people the ability to enroll in the coverage that works for them. The Open Enrollment period for health insurance through healthcare.gov is November 1 through January 31. Learn more about the Affordable Health Care Act.
Learn more about the Affordable Health Care Act for Students
- Oregon Health Plan Processing Center: 1-800-699-9075
- Oregon Health Plan Client Services: 1-800-273-0557
- HealthCare.gov Service Center: 1-800-318-2596
The fee for not having coverage
There is no student exception to the penalty of not having health insurance. This means that you must have qualifying health coverage or pay a fee on your federal tax return. In 2017, the penalty is 2.5% of household income or $695 per adult and $347.50 for each child, whichever is higher. The penalty rises yearly with inflation.
Contact the Student Life Office at (541) 383-7590 if you have additional questions.