Oregon hits record high in health insurance coverage
Oregon hits record high in health insurance coverage | Insurance Business America
Life & Health
Oregon hits record high in health insurance coverage
Rise follows years of concerted state initiatives
Life & Health
By
Terry Gangcuangco
In a historic achievement, Oregon’s health insurance coverage rate has reached 97% in 2023, according to the latest Oregon Health Insurance Survey (OHIS) conducted by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). This marks the highest percentage of insured residents in the state’s history, underscoring ongoing efforts to expand healthcare access.
The OHIS survey provides critical insights into statewide health coverage trends, tracking not only the number of insured Oregonians but also collecting data on healthcare affordability, medical bills, and access to services. The rise in coverage follows years of concerted state initiatives aimed at reducing the uninsured population.
“Every Oregonian deserves an opportunity to be healthy, and access to affordable healthcare through the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) is part of the equation,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “I am proud of the work Oregon has done to maintain health insurance coverage for thousands of Oregonians after the pandemic.”
Programs and reforms that have contributed to the milestone include the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, OHP, and OHP Bridge.
Since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014, the number of insured Oregonians has increased by 12%. The ACA made health plans more affordable by offering tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, benefiting more than 145,000 people who now have coverage through Oregon’s Marketplace. Over 80% of these individuals receive financial support.
The ACA also allowed Oregon to extend OHP coverage to approximately 400,000 previously uninsured residents. Currently, over 1.4 million Oregonians are covered by OHP. The state also leads the nation in maintaining Medicaid coverage post-COVID, utilizing a combination of community outreach, automated systems, and extended response times during Medicaid renewals.
Meanwhile, OHP Bridge, which was introduced in July, is a new program that provides coverage to individuals with incomes higher than the traditional OHP limits. More than 26,000 people have enrolled in the unique program, which offers full coverage without any costs to members, including premiums, co-pays, or deductibles.
Also, in 2022, Oregon expanded health coverage eligibility, granting nearly 90,000 residents, including over 10,000 children, access to critical preventive care despite their immigration status. Oregon is the first state to offer this type of coverage for all age groups.
Additionally, as of January 2023, Oregon secured federal approval to extend OHP coverage duration. Children enrolled in OHP now remain covered from birth to age six, regardless of changes in family income. For adults, the coverage period has been extended to two years, offering greater stability.
“Access to affordable health coverage is the cornerstone of human dignity and the chance to live a healthy life,” said OHA Director Dr Sejal Hathi (pictured). “Through all of Oregon’s extraordinary efforts, health care for all is on the path to becoming a reality, making it possible for everyone in our communities to reach their full potential and wellbeing.”
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