Protect your
medical benefits
Questions and answers
about renewing OHP
and other Medicaid
benefits
Renewals are happening for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and other Medicaid benets.
Take action to protect your medical benets.
1. Update your address so we can reach you with important information. You can do that on your
own or get free help online, by phone or in person.
2. Then, check your mail often for letters from the state of Oregon. When they come, do what they
ask right away.
If you have a question that is not answered here, you can get free help in many languages:
Find an ofce or community partner near you. KeepCovered.Oregon.gov.
Call us weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 800-699-9075. All relay calls accepted.
Find help in your language at benets.oregon.gov. It is better to call earlier in the day.
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Questions about what you need to do now
1. Why do I need to renew my OHP or other Medicaid benets if I haven’t had
to in the past three years?
The “Public Health Emergency” rules put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic are
ending. Now, the state of Oregon must make sure everyone is still eligible for OHP and other
Medicaid benets.
2. What is the most important thing I can do to keep my benets?
The most important thing you can do is update your contact information as soon as possible.
See the box on page 1 for ways to get free help in many languages.
You can also update your information online. Go to benets.oregon.gov. Create or log in
to your online ONE account.
Then, check your mail often for letters from the state of Oregon. When they come, do what
they ask right away. If you need help, see the box on page 1.
3. Who needs to take action to keep their benets?
If you get any of the support listed below, you need to update your contact information
and watch for letters from the state:
Oregon Health Plan (OHP)
Other Medicaid such as:
Medicare Savings Programs
Long-term services and support for people with disabilities and older adults.
This can include help with daily activities at home or in a facility.
4. When will I get my letters?
Letters are being mailed now through mid-2024. Not everyone will be renewed at the
same time, so check your mail often for letters from the state.
Do you have an online ONE account? There you can see your estimated renewal date. We will
put a digital copy of your letters in the message center after we mail them to you. You can also
sign up to get text or email alerts when your letters are mailed. Go to benets.oregon.gov
to create or log in to your online ONE account.
You can also visit or call an ofce or community partner, or call the ONE customer service
center and ask them to see when your letters will be mailed. See the box on page 1.
5. How many letters will I get?
Some people will get only one letter that will say whether their benets will continue. It will say
whether you need to reply to the letter, or not.
Some people may get two letters around the same time. One letter will let you know you have
been renewed and that you need to send more information. The other letter will say what
information to send, and how to send it.
If you need to reply or send information, you will have 90 days. During that time, we will keep
sending reminder letters once a month.
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6. What will the letters say?
You will get one or more letters and a case summary, which explains your benets. Read them
carefully, and contact us if you need help to understand—see the box on page 1 for ways to get
help. Your letters might say things like:
You’re automatically renewed for OHP or other Medicaid benets. Review the information
to make sure everything is correct. Be sure to reply if there are any changes.
You need to provide more information to see if you’re still eligible. You may be asked
to send information or have an interview. You’ll have up to 90 days to reply. The letters will
explain what you need to do.
Your benets are changing. You are eligible for a different medical program or no longer
qualify for OHP or other Medicaid. You will receive at least 60 days advance notice of when
any benets will end. Your letters will tell you what to do next. If your situation has changed
and you think you still should be eligible, contact a worker before your benets end.
7. Will every person in my family get letters and a case summary?
Most households will get one letter and case summary for the family. In some cases, people
will receive letters for different household members at different times.
It is important for each person in your household to update their contact information.
8. What happens if I don’t respond to the letters?
Even if you are still eligible for OHP or other Medicaid, you could lose your coverage if you
don’t respond to the letters.
If you didn’t answer the letters and nd out you lost your benets, you can apply again.
If you are still eligible, we can reopen your benets within 90 days.
9. What if I plan to move or change my mailing address soon?
Make sure you update your contact information as soon as you move or change your
mailing address. You can do that at benets.oregon.gov. Create or log in to your online
ONE account.
See the box on page 1 for ways to get free help, in many languages, to update your address.
10. I don’t have a permanent mailing address. How can I get my letters?
You can use any address where you can receive mail. This could be with a friend, family
member or a trusted organization.
You may be able to get a free P.O. Box. Go to any U.S. Post Ofce and let them know
you are houseless. Information here:
faq.usps.com/s/article/Is-there-mail-service-for-the-homeless.
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Questions about what to do if your benets change
11. What if I or a family member no longer qualify for OHP or other
Medicaid benets?
You may be eligible for Medicare. Call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at
800-772-1213 to enroll by phone or make an appointment at a local ofce. You can also
enroll in Medicare online at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up. Or you can go to OregonHealthcare.
gov/GetHelp to nd an insurance agent or a helper at the Senior Health Insurance Benets
Assistance Program (SHIBA), which can be reached at 800-722-4134.
If you are not eligible for Medicare, check to see if your employer offers an
affordable plan. Be sure to talk with your boss or human resources department before
your OHP ends. You’ll get a special enrollment period when you lose OHP.
If you do not have Medicare or an employer plan, you may be able to buy a health plan
through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. This can cost as little as $1 a month.
Plans cover things like prescription drugs, doctor visits, urgent care, hospital stays and more.
People who lose OHP can sign up for Marketplace coverage as soon as they have an OHP
closure date. People can enroll before their OHP ends to avoid a gap in coverage, but have
until July 31, 2024 to enroll.
To learn more about the Marketplace, visit OregonHealthCare.gov or call 833-699-6850
(toll-free, all relay calls accepted).
You can also visit a community partner or insurance agent for free help with the
Marketplace, in person or on the phone. To nd one near you,
visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp.
12. What are some reasons I could lose my OHP or other Medicaid?
Your income has gone up. If you earn more than the maximum income for the program,
you no longer qualify for OHP or other Medicaid.
You’ve changed your tax ling status.
You now have Medicare. You may still be eligible for OHP or other Medicaid benets.
13. What if I go to the hospital or doctor and nd out I lost my OHP or other
Medicaid benets?
You might have lost your benets because you didn’t respond to your letters. Look at your
letters to see what date they say your OHP will end. If that date was less than 90 days ago,
you can still respond and re-start your benets. If you don’t have your letters, get help using
the box on page 1. You can also reapply at any time and ask for help paying any recent
medical bills.
If you lost your OHP because you no longer qualify, you may be able to get a new plan through
the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. See question 11 to learn more.
If you have Medicare and lose OHP or a Medicare Savings Program, you can talk to an
insurance agent or Senior Health Insurance Benets Assistance (SHIBA) counselor to
understand your Medicare options. Find one at OregonHealthcare.gov/GetHelp.
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14. What if I think a phone call or text message asking for information is a scam?
How can I be sure it’s really OHP or an ofcial caller?
The Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department of Human Services, and Coordinated
Care Organizations may text and call members to remind them to update their information
or renew on time.
We will never call asking you for money to enroll or re-enroll. Never share banking or credit
card information with anyone claiming to be from Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department
of Human Services, Oregon Health Plan, or Medicaid.
If you get a phone call or text message you think is a scam, hang up and do not respond.
Questions about OHP and Medicare
15. What if I recently started Medicare?
People who were on OHP and then started Medicare during the pandemic stayed on OHP.
We call this “full dual” benets because you have Medicare and OHP.
Everyone needs to renew. Many people will need to have an interview with a worker to
learn what kind of benets they may qualify for. You may get help paying your Medicare
Part B premiums, secondary coverage, or continued full dual coverage, including dental and
nonemergency transportation.
If you need help with daily activities at home or in a facility, ask about long term care services
and supports.
If you lose OHP benets, you can talk to an insurance agent or Senior Health Insurance
Benets Assistance (SHIBA) counselor about your Medicare options. Find one at
OregonHealthcare.gov/GetHelp, or call SHIBA at 800-722-4134.
16. What if I turned 65 but did not enroll in Medicare?
If you turned 65 during the pandemic, but did not enroll in Medicare at that time, enroll right
away. See the rst answer to question 12 to learn how.
It’s important to sign up for Medicare coverage during your initial enrollment period. This lasts
for seven months, starting three months before you turn 65. You can also sign up within 6
months of your OHP ending. If you don’t sign up, you may have to pay an extra amount, called
a late-enrollment penalty if you decide to sign up later.
If you have other health coverage, (like from your job), or you qualify for a Medicare Savings
Program, you may not have to pay a penalty. Please check with Medicare to be sure. Learn
more at medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/avoid-penalties.
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Questions about OHP and long-term care services
17. Does this apply to me if I receive long-term care?
Yes. If you receive Medicaid long-term care services, you will need to renew
your medical benets.
Medicaid long-term care includes services that help people with physical, mental health,
and intellectual or developmental disabilities. The services help people take care of daily
health and personal care needs they can’t do on their own.
Services can be provided in a person’s home or community. They can also be provided in
a care setting like adult foster care, assisted living and residential facilities, nursing facilities,
and memory care communities.
18. What will I need to do to renew my medical benets if I have long-term care?
Keep your contact information up to date. Your authorized representatives can help you.
Watch for your renewal letter in the mail. Reach out to your case manager if you have
questions or need help understanding your letter.
19. What might happen to my long-term care services after renewal?
After your renewal, one of these things might happen:
If you still qualify for OHP, your OHP will continue, but you may have changes to your
long-term care services.
If you no longer qualify for OHP, your OHP medical benets and long-term care services
will end.
If your benets are going down or ending, you can ask for an appeal if you do not agree
or think the state made a mistake.
If you live in a long-term care facility or adult foster home, or have in-home caregivers,
talk to your caseworker about ways to keep the services you need.
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For individuals with disabilities or individuals who speak a language other than English, OHA can provide information in alternate formats
such as translations, large print or braille. Contact 503-945-5488 (all relay calls accepted) or [email protected].
KeepCovered.Oregon.gov