Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program that helps children, pregnant women, seniors and other eligible low-income Americans access necessary health care. In Oregon, Medicaid is known as the Oregon Health Plan. Approximately 850,000 Oregonians — one-fifth of the state’s population — receive health insurance through OHP.
This program provides coverage for many health care services, including hearing aids, home health care, hospital care, laboratory tests and medical equipment.
Aged, Blind and Disabled
Seniors who live in Oregon may qualify for OHP’s Aged, Blind and Disabled category if they:
- Earn less than $771 per month ($1,157 for couples)
- Have less than $2,000 in resources ($3,000 for couples)
All sources of income are counted for Medicaid eligibility purposes, including veterans’ and Social Security benefits. Many types of resources, including a primary home and one vehicle, are exempt. Countable resources include checking accounts, investments and secondary residences. The state has a Medicaid look-back period, and 60 months before applying for coverage, seniors can’t transfer or give away nonexempt resources.
Seniors who are interested in OHP coverage can complete a
paper application or visit
ONE.Oregon.gov to apply online.
To learn more about OHP or get help with your application, call
OHP Customer Service at (800) 699-9075.
Oregon K Plan The Oregon K Plan is a home and community-based services Medicaid waiver. It helps seniors avoid moving into nursing homes by paying for services they receive in a variety of community settings, such as assisted living facilities, adult foster homes and in-home services.
This waiver provides
case management and community transition services. Case management includes assessing seniors needs, developing an individualized care plan and connecting seniors with necessary services. Community transition services help seniors move out of nursing homes.
Seniors may be eligible for this program if they require a nursing home level of care and earn less than 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate. As of 2019,
the SSI FBR is $771 for individuals and $1,157 for couples.
Each year, the state limits the number of participants in the K Plan, so seniors may have to wait to receive services. Interested seniors should apply as soon as possible.
The
Oregon Department of Human Services manages the K Plan. Gresham seniors can call Portland’s
Aging Health Services office at (503) 872-8822 to apply or learn more.