Barriers removed for OHP members

The Oregon Health Authority is adding flexibility to the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) to allow more people to get coverage more quickly and to ensure existing members keep their coverage during the coronavirus health crisis.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has granted flexibility to ensure people will continue to receive care and coverage. A quarter of Oregonians are currently enrolled in the program.

Among the new rules granted in the waiver are:

• No member of the Oregon Health Plan will lose their coverage, even if the coverage is entirely state-funded.
• New enrollees can sign up without verifying income. This will allow quicker access to coverage.
• Payments from the federal stimulus package or increased unemployment benefits won’t affect eligibility and won’t be included in new applications.

Federal changes will also allow Oregon to add to its health care workforce, provide treatment in temporary sites, and make sure providers are paid.

Testing and treatment for COVID-19 is covered by the Oregon Health Plan. A fact sheet about coverage is available on the OHP website.