Health insurance in the US

Check again with the international scholars office at the university: most health insurance in the US is employer-sponsored. (I understand that on a GF you will be employed by your European host.) Ask whether there are plans for students that you can sign up for. Those will generally only be helpful if you (or your family if you are accompanied) are generally healthy.

You should also check whether your current insurer in Europe has travel insurance cover and/or global insurance cover. In Ireland, for instance, it was possible to get out-of-country insurance that might be suitable depending on the length of your stay in the US.

You should be able to purchase healthcare on the health care exchange (Affordable Care Act/Obamacare):
https://www.healthcare.gov

If your salary will be under $16,644/year (unlikely) then the state of Oregon should provide you with insurance. See
http://healthcare.oregon.gov/

Also ask the international scholars office whether they can help you navigate healthcare.gov. Mainly you will need your zipcode (the school's zipcode will be close enough) but various questions and documentation needs might arise!

Good luck and feel free to post again if you have other questions about health care in the US or about other things that might arise!

-Jodi

Dear Jodi,

Thank you very much for your detailed reply, I'll check out these options!