Oregon Health Authority Expands Medicaid Coverage to Include Higher-Income Residents
The Oregon Health Authority has announced that it will be expanding its Medicaid coverage to include residents who earn up to 200% of the federal poverty level. This new OHP Bridge Plan is expected to bring an additional 100,000 residents into the Medicaid program by 2027.
This expansion follows similar moves by states like New York and Minnesota, but Oregon is the first to offer this coverage at no cost to beneficiaries. Individuals in the Bridge program, which includes those earning up to $30,000 a year or families of four with incomes of up to $62,400 a year, will qualify for free medical, dental, and mental healthcare.
The state received approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to offer the plan under a Medicaid waiver, with the federal government covering the majority of the costs. Oregon will pick up the remaining costs not covered by federal funds.
In the long run, healthcare officials believe that this expansion of Medicaid will result in cost savings by allowing residents to treat health problems at an earlier stage and receive preventive care. Dr. Sejal Hathi, director of the health authority, emphasized the importance of expanding coverage to achieve better health outcomes, increased healthcare access, and reduced health inequities.
Oregon is set to receive approximately $500 million in federal funds to cover an average of 65,000 members per month over the next year, with the state contributing $10 million to cover the remaining costs. This move is seen as a step towards ensuring that all residents have access to high-quality healthcare services.
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