We know that health insurance and medical bills can be confusing, especially if you’ve never handled them before.  

Cougar Health is here to help you understand what services cost, what’s covered by your insurance, and what you may need to pay. 

We strive to be fully transparent about our billing practices and policies. If you have questions, call us at 509-335-3575, email cougarhealth.billing@wsu.edu, or stop by during business hours. 

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What to Know About Insurance

We bill most major insurance plans. Our office will file claims to your insurer as long as we have all of the required documents on file.  

Note: Bolded terms below are defined on our Understanding Insurance page.

  • Any portion of your bill not covered by insurance will be applied to your WSU student account. You will not receive a bill from Cougar Health Services. 
  • We recommend you check your student account frequently to view charges that may have been applied. For your privacy, all Cougar Health Services charges will appear on your WSU account as “Cougar Health Services.” 
  • If you have a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) insurance plan, please be advised that your charges may not be covered at Cougar Health Services. 
  • Washington state law protects you from “surprise billing” or “balance billing” if you receive emergency care or are treated at an in-network hospital or outpatient surgical facility. Know your rights under the Balance Billing Protection Act. 

Insurance Carriers

We contract with the following insurance carriers*: 

  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • First Choice
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Premera Blue Cross (all Blue Cross Blue Shield plans)
  • Tricare
  • UnitedHealthcare
  • Apple Health Plans
    • Amerigroup
    • Community Health Plan
    • Coordinated Care
    • Molina
    • UnitedHealthcare

If your insurance provider is not listed above, please call us to discuss options. 

*Co-payments for all of our contracted insurance plans are charged as indicated by your plan.

Remember Your Insurance Card

We strongly encourage you to always carry a copy of your insurance card. That way you can always provide your insurance information to whatever provider or facility you’re visiting.  

We require a copy of the front and back of your current medical insurance ID card in order to submit medical insurance claims on your behalf. We will accept faxed or emailed copies of insurance ID cards, or a picture of your insurance ID card on your phone.  

You can request a replacement or an extra copy of your insurance card from your health insurance provider by calling your insurance provider or going to their website. 

Student Health Fee

The student health fee supports our operating costs and covers some basic services. You can find out more on the student health fee page. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I need insurance to see a provider?

    We will never refuse service to a student without insurance, but we strongly recommend that you have health insurance to help cover the cost of your medical and mental health care. 

    If we don’t participate in your insurance plan, you can still choose to be seen by our providers but you may have to pay the full cost of charges. 

  • Does WSU offer student insurance?

    WSU offers insurance to international students, eligible graduate student assistants, and health science students. Learn more about student insurance.  

    Other students may have the option to stay on their parents’ insurance or purchase a plan through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. 

    Our medical clinic also provides a financial assistance program for uninsured students who use our services. Contact our billing staff for more information. 

  • What is the student health fee?

    All Pullman students taking 7 or more credits pay a health fee to maintain the availability of basic health services and programs on campus.

    The health fee does not cover all services available at the Medical Clinic and is not an insurance plan.

  • Can you help verify my insurance details?

    We will make a good faith attempt to verify your insurance coverage. We are not able to guarantee that the information given to us by your insurance is correct. 

    It is your responsibility to know what insurance plan you are on, supply us with the correct information at the time of your visit, and know (or learn) what services may or may not be covered. Although our staff is here to assist you with any billing and insurance related questions, you should be familiar with the specifics of your coverage, such as co-payments, deductibles, and covered vs. non-covered services. 

    We encourage you to contact your insurance company or the administrator of the program paying for your care with any questions you may have regarding the details of your coverage. 

    Be aware that not all medical services are covered by all insurance policies. Depending on your plan, some or all of our services provided may not be covered. 

  • Can I make payments?

    Any portion of your bill not covered by insurance will be applied to your WSU student account. You will not receive a bill from Cougar Health Services. 

    You may make payments for any of our services by visiting our office (cash, check, and major credit cards accepted) or by phone (using a credit card). If you need to pay for services using your Health Savings Account card, please call us. 

  • Who is responsible for paying my bill?

    As a courtesy, we will bill your health insurance for you. However, you are ultimately responsible for any amount due related to your visit to CHS. This includes any labs, imaging (x-rays), or other services that may have been ordered during your visit. (If you are under the age of 18, your parents or legal guardians are responsible for payment.)