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Director's Message
May 28, 2004
To: DHS Employees
From: Gary Weeks, Director
1. Oregon Health Plan Reductions
As part of the department's rebalance plan approved by the Legislative Emergency Board in April, we must reduce enrollment in the Oregon Health Plan's (OHP) Standard plan.
Today, approximately 50,000 Oregonians are covered under the Standard plan. Because there are no longer state funds to support the Standard population at this level, we are forced to reduce the number of subscribers to about 25,000 by June 30, 2005.
New enrollment closes July 1. Our first step will be to close the Standard plan to new enrollment beginning this July 1.
As a result, it is important that people already on the Standard plan keep their enrollment current by paying their premiums on time and by reapplying in a timely fashion when they are notified about the upcoming end of their six-month eligibility period. If they lose their eligibility for any reason, they will not be able to reapply after June 30 of this year.
Reducing Standard plan enrollment. Client attrition occurs routinely for many reasons. Current clients may decide not to re-enroll, for instance, or their financial circumstances may improve to the degree that they no longer meet the current eligibility requirements.
However, this normal attrition may not provide all of the reductions necessary to bring the program to a sustainable level. We are considering what other changes, such as lowering income eligibility limits, might be necessary in the next few months.
People enrolled in the Standard plan will receive a benefit package covering doctor visits, prescription drugs, outpatient mental-health and chemical-dependency treatment, emergency dental, lab, x-ray, medical supplies, and a limited hospital benefit. And, because of a recent court ruling, they will no longer have a co-pay for services.
OHP Plus not affected. It's important to remember that the 300,000 people covered by the Health Plan's Plus package are entitled to coverage under federal Medicaid and therefore will not be affected by these changes. They include foster children and those who are aged, blind, disabled or on public assistance.
Changes for staff. Because of the reductions that will be made to the Standard plan, we will have to make adjustments to staffing levels to reflect those changes. I'd like to emphasize that our general approach to situations such as this is to minimize the effects of these adjustments by attrition and by offering opportunities for people to move to other open positions wherever we can.
2. OIS realignment
Our department's Office of Information Services (OIS) is undergoing a realignment to make it run more efficiently and serve our department better. It is not a full-scale reorganization, but a merging of some similar functions to fine-tune operations. The office will now have six major units with one focused entirely on customer service and support.
Bill Crowell, the new head of OIS and the department's chief information officer, will be sending a message to all staff next week with more specific details of the realignment.
Information technology is a critical support as we work to meet the needs of Oregonians. The changes in OIS will help streamline our information technology services and increase efficiency throughout the department.
3. Memorial Day
I want to wish you all a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day. It's been a long and difficult winter, full of changes and adjustments.
I hope you'll be able to spend some quality time with your friends and family over the holiday. Please travel safely.
4. Food for thought
"Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community."
— Anthony J. D'Angelo
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This message is intended for all Department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access.
If you have a disability and need a document on this Web site to be provided to you in another format, please send an email to dhs.forms@state.or.us or call (503) 945-7021, fax (503) 373-7690 or TTY (503) 947-5080. If you know of others who need this accommodation, please let them know it is available.
Oregon Department of Human Services
Director's Office
500 Summer St. NE E15, Salem, OR 97301-1097
Phone: (503) 945-5944
Fax: (503) 378-2897
TTY: (503) 947-6214
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