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 March 15, 2023
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), the federal government extended health coverage, including services and supports for people with disabilities and older adults, and provided extra food benefits, along with other regulatory flexibilities. The flexibilities and temporary programs will end as the federal COVID-19 PHE phases out.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) are working together to prepare for the unwinding of the COVID-19 PHE. Together the agencies provide benefits and services to one in three people in Oregon through the Oregon Eligibility (ONE) system. The joint agency effort focuses on the medical, services and supports for people with disabilities and older adults, and food benefits issued through ONE.
In this update:
Preparing for the COVID-19 PHE end — next up Spanish webinar
Join OHA and ODHS for a monthly webinar series for partners. Webinars are from 10 to 11 a.m. Pacific Time. The partner webinar on Tuesday March 14 in English was attended by about 340 people. It shared important information about the timeline for medical renewals and provided time for partners to ask a variety of questions. The same webinar in Spanish will take place on March 23.
What to expect:
- Information on how Oregon is preparing for benefit changes
- Communication tools partners can use to engage people who receive OHP and other benefits including services and supports for people with disabilities and older adults, and food benefits.
- Time for questions and feedback
The webinars are hosted in English and Spanish.
Recordings and materials from past webinars are available at oregon.gov/covid-phe-partners.
All participants are welcome. American Sign Language and live closed captioning will be available. If you have questions about accommodations or need any assistance to participate, please Email Jon McDaid at least 48 hours before each webinar.
 Marketplace transition
The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) 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 at https://orhim.info/OHIMtransition.
Spanish webinar: Wednesday, March 29 from 10 to 11 a.m., Pacific Time. Register at https://orhim.info/OHIMTransitionSp.
All participants are welcome. If you have any questions about accommodations or need assistance to participate please call or email: Amy Coven at amy.coven2@oha.oregon.gov or 503-943-0164 (voice/text). All relay calls are accepted.
Three articles also are available to legislators who would like to share information through their constituent newsletters and other communications.
Reminder: Food benefit changes in March
The federal Emergency Allotments food benefit program ended in February. In March people participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are seeing a decrease in their monthly food benefits. We continue to encourage households to budget accordingly and reach out to their local resources. Visit needfood.oregon.gov (Spanish) to find food resources in your community.
 WIC may be a resource for families seeing a reduction in SNAP benefits
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) may be a resource for families whose SNAP benefits are now reduced. An infant or child may participate in WIC without a parent who qualifies for the program. For example, children in foster care and children receiving developmental disability services may qualify. Find out more information about the WIC program and who is eligible.
ODHS is now sending text messages as a new way to reach people about their benefits
ODHS now sends text messages. This is a new way to let people know important information about medical, food, cash and childcare benefits. ODHS sends the messages to the cell phone number for the Head of Household.
The texts are one more way to help people take the actions needed to maintain their benefits without interruption as the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency phases out. ODHS is sending texts for:
- Renewal reminders
- Appointment reminders
- Requests for information
- Returned mail notifications
Check out the interactive Medical Renewal Experience Timeline
The new Medical Renewals Experience Timeline is an interactive tool outlining the key dates, activities, processes and worker impacts that will happen when the medical benefit renewals begin in April and continue into mid-2024. There are specific member scenarios and key milestones for each renewal period to help members understand how to continue their benefits.
 State report on plans for prioritizing and distributing renewals following the end of the Medicaid continuous enrollment provisions
Oregon submitted its plan to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on initiating medical renewals, including how renewals will be distributed, and process and strategies the state is considering or has adopted to mitigate against inappropriate coverage loss during the unwinding period.
ODHS and OHA want to hear your feedback, respond to requests, and answer questions. You can send or forward feedback to feedback@odhsoha.oregon.gov. We’ll work with your ODHS and OHA Government Relations contacts to get you the information you need.
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