Frequently Asked Questions: OHP Standard Premiums

If you have questions about OHP Standard premiums not answered on this page, or have questions about your premium bill, ask the OHP Premium Billing Office (888-647-2729) or visit the OHP Premium Billing Office.

Q. Who pays OHP Standard premiums? 

A. Most people who receive the OHP Standard benefit package must pay a premium.

Q. Who does not pay OHP Standard premiums? 

A. You do not pay premiums if you are on OHP Standard and:

• You are a Native American or Alaskan Native and are a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe or eligible for benefits through Indian Health Services, or
• Your household income is 10 percent or less of the federal poverty level at the time of enrollment.

Some households may have some members enrolled in the OHP Plus or OHP with Limited Drug benefit packages. These do not have premiums. Other members may be enrolled in the OHP Standard benefit package. The OHP coverage letter lists which benefits each person receives.

Q. How much are OHP Standard premiums? 

A. Premiums range from $9 to $20 per person per month. The amount is based on household income and family size. Clients with questions about how premium amounts are calculated can ask their worker.

Q. How are OHP Standard premiums billed? 

A. The premiums are computed per person. But the household gets only one bill each month. The bill includes the premiums for all household members enrolled in the OHP Standard benefit package.

Q. When do you start charging OHP Standard premiums? 

A. We begin charging premiums on the date OHP Standard coverage begins.

Q. Do OHP Standard premium amounts change? 

A. Usually, premium amounts will not change during the first six months of coverage. It may change if someone in the household moves from OHP Standard to the OHP Plus benefit package, or if a household’s income or family size changes.

Q. When are OHP Standard premiums due?

A. Premiums are due on the 20th of each month. We consider a premium paid when the OHP Premium Billing Office gets it.

Q. When are OHP Standard premiums billed? 

A. A premium bill is mailed at the beginning of each month. The bill states the amount to pay and when the payment needs to be received.

Clients who did not get their premium bill as expected may call the OHP Premium Billing Office for help.

Q: How do you accept OHP Standard premiums? 

A: Do not send cash in the mail or send payments to your DHS branch office.

All payments must go directly to the OHP Premium Billing Office.

• To pay by Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit or debit card, call 1-888-647-2729 or 541-523-3602 (Baker City).
• To pay by check or money order, mail payment to the following address:

OHP Premium Billing Office

P.O. Box 1120

Baker City, OR 97814-1120

Q. What if a friend or family member is paying the premium? 

A. The person paying the premium must make sure to:

• Include the name and client identification number for each person they are paying a premium for. This information is on the premium bill and the Oregon Health ID (formerly Medical Care ID).
• Send the payment coupon (attached to your premium bill) along with the payment.

No matter who pays, it is the client’s responsibility to make sure that premium payments are paid on time.

Q. What happens if OHP Standard premiums are past-due? 

A. You will not lose coverage during your current enrollment period just because you have a past-due premium. However, when you reapply, you will need to pay all billed premiums before the OHP Standard members of your household can qualify for another six months of coverage. Past-due premiums do not affect eligibility for people in your household with other benefit packages such as OHP Plus or OHP with Limited Drug.

Q. How long do you keep track of past-due premiums? 

A. Past-due premium amounts are carried for three years.

Q. Can past-due premiums be waived or forgiven? 

A. No. Past-due premiums cannot be waived.