Health agency asks OHP members to update their contact information and look for renewal notifications
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) wants Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members to know that health coverage renewals will resume on April 1. While most people will continue to qualify for existing benefits, OHA is required to review eligibility for all 1.47 million OHP members by June 2024. Members will receive a notice between April 2023 and January 2024.
“Health care is vital to Oregon families, and we want to maintain the coverage they depend on,” said interim OHA Director James Schroeder. “Our goal is to make sure that everyone who is eligible for benefits, stays covered. Keeping your contact information up to date and responding quickly to further requests will help your renewal go faster and avoid any preventable disruptions in your care.”
OHA and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) are encouraging OHP members to keep their contact information up to date, so they can receive renewal forms and requests for information. Such messages will be important in the coming months and will require members to respond in a timely manner.
There are several ways people can update their contact information, including:
- Online at: oregon.gov
- Via their coordinated care organization (CCO). Members can find their CCO contact information by visiting: CCO Plans.
- By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309.
- By phone at: 1-800-699-9075 or TTY 711. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST. Hold times are shortest in the morning from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
- By calling a toll-free language line. Interpreters are available in 16 languages.
- By contacting an OHP-certified Community Partner at OHP Local Help.
- In person at any Self-Sufficiency Program, Aging and People with Disabilities or Area Agency on Aging office. Find locations and phone numbers at: ONEOfficeLocations.
OHA expects some members to be automatically renewed without any action necessary. If additional information is needed, however, a notification will be sent to the OHP member, who will then have 90 days to complete the renewal form and provide additional information to verify their eligibility. If someone is determined to be no longer eligible for OHP, they will have 60 days before their OHP benefits will end.
State health officials want anyone who no longer qualifies for OHP coverage to know that they still have affordable health coverage options. The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) will send information to people who are no longer eligible for OHP benefits and advise of potential coverage options and financial help through the Marketplace. People who do not enroll through the Marketplace will receive a second notice 30 days before their special enrollment period ends, based on the date their OHP benefits conclude. The Marketplace Transition Help Center will help people understand their options, how to transition to the Marketplace, and to find help from local health coverage experts.
The large number of OHP redeterminations is expected to cause greater wait times, delays, and possible interruptions to people’s OHP benefits. OHP members are encouraged to respond quickly after they receive a request for information to avoid any possible delays. The fastest way members can provide an update is by going to benefits.oregon.gov and logging into their ONE account.
In March 2020, the United States government declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PHE brought regulatory flexibilities and additional funding for temporary benefits and services for people in Oregon. The flexibilities and programs included continuous coverage for OHP members, higher Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefit amounts, and additional benefits for people who receive long-term services and supports through ODHS. More information on changes to SNAP benefits happening in March 2023 is here.
OHP members who have questions about the renewal process can call the ONE Customer Service Center (1-800-699-9075 or TTY 711) or local health coverage experts to assist with the renewal process in a free one-to-one visit (OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp). For more information about OHP renewals, members can visit the OHA web site here.
###
