The Keep Covered newsletter shares the latest information about changes coming for people with Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and other benefits, including services and supports for people with disabilities and older adults, and food benefits.
Background
During the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the federal government provided regulatory flexibilities and temporary benefits. Some of these flexibilities and temporary programs are ending. Changes include:
- Ending SNAP Emergency Allotment (EA) food benefits. February 2023 was the last month people received the extra emergency food benefits.
- Starting the renewal process for all current OHP members on April 1 and continuing into mid-2024.
- Resuming the work requirements people with Able-bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) status must meet to retain their SNAP food benefits, starting July 1, 2023.
- Ending Pandemic EBT and Summer PEBT for Children food benefit programs. Oregon will issue retroactive Summer PEBT benefits for 2022 in late March and then the programs will end.
- Phasing out two temporary exemptions that allowed more higher education students to access SNAP food benefits, starting in June 2023.
Oregon is planning for how these changes will affect people, with a goal of keeping as many people as possible connected to benefits and covered by a health plan.
In this update:
Preparing for the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency to End
Registration is open for our spring partner webinar series. All webinars are from 10 to 11 a.m., Pacific Time.
March webinars will cover:
- Medical renewal timeline
- Food benefit changes
- Overview of outreach to groups at higher risk of losing benefits
Marketplace Transition
The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is hosting webinars to discuss transitions from OHP to Marketplace coverage during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency unwinding process.
Webinar topics will include:
- Notices individuals should expect to receive
- Unwinding special enrollment period (SEP) details
- Transitioning during open enrollment
English webinar: Wednesday, March 22 from 10 to 11 a.m., Pacific Time. Register for this webinar at https://orhim.info/OHIMtransition.
Spanish webinar: Wednesday, March 29 from 10 to 11 a.m., Pacific Time. Register for this webinar at https://orhim.info/OHIMTransitionSp.
Partner web page:
The central location where you can find all resources for partners. Visit regularly for updates and materials to share information with people who receive benefits.
General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Purpose: The FAQ provides general information on the upcoming changes related to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency phase out.
Audience: People who receive OHP, Medicare Savings Program, services and supports for people with disabilities and older adults, and food benefits. Policy makers; OHA/ODHS staff members; coordinated care organizations, Local Public Health Authorities, Federally Qualified Health Centers, hospitals, and other health system administrators and staff.
Updated COVID-19 Emergency Toolkit
Purpose: The toolkit provides background information and outreach resources to support partners as they help people receiving medical and non-medical benefits prepare for possible changes as the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency phases out.
Audience: Partners including community-based organizations and health system partners, other state agencies.
Updated needfood.oregon.gov websites and toolkit
Purpose: Provides resource information to people in Oregon, including people receiving SNAP who will see their food budgets shrink as COVID-19 Public Health Emergency food benefit programs end. The websites include a toolkit in multiple languages to help partners connect the public to food resources.
Audience: Partners including community-based organization and health system partners, other state agencies.
Change tools
Purpose: Provides tools that partners can use to educate people receiving medical and nonmedical benefits about their benefit changes. Each collection provides journey maps and scenarios that illustrate what people can expect to experience, actions they can take and resources. The SNAP Emergency Allotments Change Tool is now available.
Audience: Partners including community-based organization and health system partners, other state agencies, ODHS and OHA staff.
The most important things partners and providers can do now to help people who receive benefits prepare for the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency are to:
- Remind individuals and families that they will receive advance notice by mail if their benefits will change;
- Encourage individuals, their authorized representatives, and families to keep their contact information current and read mail from the state right away; and
- Share the oregon.gov/or-benefit-changes web address where individuals and families can watch for announcements.
Email your questions, comments and concerns about the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency unwinding to feedback@odhsoha.oregon.gov. We will use your feedback to help improve our services.
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