New Oregon Health Plan program expands free health care to over 100K Oregonians

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon is expanding its free health care coverage to include people in more income categories under a new Oregon Health Plan program, the Oregon Health Authority announced Monday.

More than 100,000 Oregonians are expected to qualify for the new Oregon Health Plan Bridge program, which will make Oregon the third state in the nation to establish a Basic Health Program.

"The new OHP Bridge program continues Oregon's long history of leading the nation in efforts to make health coverage accessible to everyone in Oregon," said OHA Director Sejal Hathi. "It also advances our strategic plan to eliminate health inequities by 2030, by helping to expand access to affordable care for all and honoring our government-to-government relationship with the Tribes."

OHP Bridge is named after the program’s goal to “bridge” the health coverage gap between people who have health coverage under the traditional Oregon Health Plan and people who have marketplace coverage.

The program will cover medical, dental, and behavioral health care with no member costs – meaning no premiums, co-payments, coinsurance, or deductibles, OHA announced, adding, Oregon will be the first state to offer a Basic Health Program without out-of-pocket costs for members.

According to OHA, there are few things OHP Bridge will not cover that is covered by other Medicaid programs.

For example, OHP Bridge will not cover Long Term Services and Supports that aid with tasks of daily living, or Oregon’s new Health Related Social Needs benefit, which covers some climate, housing and food needs.

The new program comes after many adults in Oregon with an income just above the traditional Medicaid limits were left uninsured before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to OHA.

There are several factors for Oregonians to qualify, including people who are 19 to 64-years-old, have an income between 138% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, have an eligible citizenship or immigration status, and if they do not have access to other affordable health insurance.

“The Biden-Harris Administration continues to take every opportunity to make health care coverage accessible and seamless for everyone eligible for our programs, and we applaud Oregon for their launch of their Basic Health Program—the third such program in the U.S. Oregon will offer people there a critical lifeline to health care coverage that’s affordable and within reach. For countless individuals and families, health insurance is not just a policy; it provides the opportunity to focus on the well-being and happiness of their loved ones, without the constant fear of financial ruin due to illness or injury," Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said.