As we work together to stop the spread of COVID-19 at home, work and in the community, we want to make sure you have the resources you need to keep informed, healthy and safe. If you have any questions about OHP and COVID-19, please let us know.
Updates for Oregon Health Plan providers
The Health Evidence Review Commission has updated the Novel Coronavirus Coding recommendations (4/20/2022).
Please continue to refer to the Oregon Medicaid COVID-19 Provider Guide for information related to OHP and CWM coverage of vaccine, testing, screening, treatment and telemedicine services; OHP and CWM eligibility; and other information and resources related to providing and billing for covered services during COVID-19.
Behavioral health providers, Urban Indian Health Programs and Tribal Behavioral Health Program grantees: Apply for COVID-19 workforce stability grants by May 4, 2022
To address workforce shortages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, eligible providers can now apply for workforce stability grants. Providers must apply for these grants by no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2022.
- Providers must use at least 75 percent of the grant funding on direct compensation to staff through wages, benefits, and bonuses.
- The remaining funds can be spent on programs or other non-compensatory resources to increase workforce retention or recruitment.
- All filled and vacant positions at qualified behavioral health providers qualify for wage increases, retention, and signing bonuses.
- Grant recipients must provide retention bonuses to staff by July 30, 2022, and use the funds by Dec. 30, 2022.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will accept applications from the following providers:
- Mental health or substance use disorder crisis line providers; or
- Urban Indian Health Programs in Oregon; or
- Tribal Behavioral Health Program grant recipients in Oregon; or
- Behavioral health care providers (services and supports for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders) that meet the following criteria:
- Serve adults or youth, at least 50 percent of whom are uninsured, enrolled in the state medical assistance program (Medicaid), or enrolled in Medicare;
- Are not hospitals; and
- Qualify as one or more of the following:
- Is certified by OHA to provide behavioral health care,
- Provides behavioral health care through program contracting with or administered by the Oregon Youth Authority,
- Provides behavioral health rehabilitation services through a program contracting with or administered by the Oregon Department of Human Services,
- Is a licensed opioid treatment program,
- Provides withdrawal management services, or
- Is a sobering center.
Please visit OHA's Workforce Stability Grant page to:
Recorded webinar: COVID-19 therapeutics for providers
If you missed it, you can now watch OHA's recent webinar about COVID-19 therapeutics, featuring a panel discussion with medical professionals from multiple health systems across Oregon. Topics include:
- Available medications and their indications
- Best practices, strategies on patient qualifications, timely testing methods, and outreach efforts
Questions? Please email Gregory.Desrosiers@dhsoha.state.or.us.
New resources:
Therapeutics infographics:
Attend OHA's no-cost virtual trainings (with CME), June 2022 through February 2023
Oregon Medicaid providers are invited to learn more about motivational interviewing for diabetes management. Led by Dana Sturtevant, MS, RD, the trainings will focus on improving providers' confidence and skills in conversations about sensitive behavior change topics required for diabetes management.
Three types of trainings are available. You will have multiple opportunities to attend each training between June 2022 and February 2023:
- Motivational interviewing for diabetes management: Level 1
- Motivational interviewing for diabetes management: Level 2
- Using motivational interviewing in diabetes management groups
OHA is recruiting people to serve on a one-year Community and Partner workgroup to advise the state on its OHP renewal process. The workgroup's recommendations will inform OHA's strategies to meet the goals of maintaining insurance coverage for as many people in Oregon as possible and reducing health inequities.
The federal COVID-19 public health emergency allowed states to extend benefits to people enrolled in Medicaid programs and suspend eligibility reviews. When the federal public health emergency ends, OHA will be required to redetermine eligibility for all OHP members.
The workgroup will advise OHA on outreach, enrollment and communication strategies to help members navigate the changes and maximize continuity of coverage for as many people as possible. Eligible community and medical assistance program members will be compensated for their time.
If you are interested in applying to serve on this workgroup, you may:
OHA seeks vision and dental providers for Rules Advisory Committee for updates to dental and vision benefit rules
OHA plans to amend the following Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs):
- OAR 410-140-0020, 0040, 0050, 0140, and 0200: Vision benefit update to include 12 months additional postpartum care, removal of outdated language, and benefit clarification.
- OAR 410-123-1510: Dental benefit update to include 12 months additional postpartum care.
If these changes are likely to affect you, you are invited to join OHA's Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) on July 6, 2022.
- Each interested organization may have one representative serve on the committee.
- All others are welcome to listen in and provide written suggested edits by 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022.
To express interest in joining the RAC, or provide written comment, please email Napua Rich at NapuaAnn.K.Rich@dhsoha.state.or.us.
Clarification of OHP vision coverage
OHA has updated the Frequently Asked Questions about OHP Benefits to clarify OHP coverage of eye exams, glasses and contact lenses as follows:
Are eye exams covered?
OHP Plus (BMM, BMH and BMD) and CWM Plus (CWX) cover medical eye exams for any eye condition. Diagnostic services are also covered.
OHP covers eye exams for "disorders of refraction and accommodation" (e.g., nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism):
- Once every 24 months for OHP Plus (BMM, BMH and BMD) adults age 21 or older.
- When clinically appropriate for OHP Plus members under age 21, CWM Plus members, and OHP Plus adults with the “BMP” benefit package.
When are glasses or contact lenses covered?
OHP covers glasses or contact lenses when clinically appropriate for:
- OHP Plus (BMP) pregnant adults (age 21 and older);
- OHP Plus (BMM, BMH and BMD) children (age 20 and younger); and
- Citizenship Waived Medical Plus (CWX) adults (age 19 and older).
For OHP Plus (BMM, BMH and BMD) non-pregnant adults (age 21 and older), OHP covers glasses or contact lenses for only these specific medical conditions:
- Aphakia, pseudoaphakia, congenital aphakia, keratoconus; or
- The natural lenses of the eye are missing; or
- Has had a keratoplasty surgical procedure (e.g., corneal transplant). For this condition, OHP only covers contact lens services and supplies.
Recent rule revisions
OAR 410-141-3830: Updates to the Prioritized List of Health Services
|