Oregon Health Plan and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Oregon Health Plan members are covered

Have OHP and need to be tested for COVID-19? It’s covered. Need a vaccine or to stay in the hospital because of COVID-19? That’s covered, too.

Traveling out of state? Emergency testing and hospitalization for COVID-19 is covered.
Have CAWEM? CAWEM is emergency-only coverage. During this national emergency, testing, hospitalization, and vaccines are covered, even if you do not get care in an emergency department.
Have CAWEM Plus? If you have CAWEM coverage for pregnancy -- also called CAWEM Plus -- you are also covered for testing, hospitalization, and vaccines.
Need health coverage? Apply for OHP today or use the Getting health coverage in Oregon guide to see what coverage is right for you.

COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone.

You don't have to have OHP or other insurance to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines will be given to everyone at no cost. OHP members do not have to pay a visit fee or make a donation to get a vaccine.

What you need to know:

Vaccines prevent disease and keep you safe.
Don’t stop safe habits. It will take time to get vaccines to everyone.
Oregon gets a limited supply when a new vaccine is first approved.
People with a higher risk for COVID-19 will be first to get the vaccine.
People with lower risks will get a vaccine as we get more doses.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines in Oregon, including when you can get vaccinated.

Need a ride to get a vaccine? Rides are free for OHP members. Find the OHP ride services in your area. You can also call your CCO plan.

Your Oregon Health Plan coverage will continue during this national emergency

Your health is important to us. Starting March 18, 2020, if you have OHP or CAWEM, you are covered.

During the COVID-19 emergency, OHP and CAWEM benefits will only close when:

A member asks to close medical benefits,
A member becomes incarcerated, dies, or moves out of state and does not plan to return to Oregon, or
We find that we approved medical benefits in error, or
A court finds that we approved medical benefits in error based on incorrect information that a member knowingly gave to us.

Federal emergency payments will not change your OHP eligibility

The federal government is sending stimulus checks to help families during the COVID-19 emergency. It is also increasing unemployment payments.

The stimulus and unemployment benefit increase will not change if you qualify for the Oregon Health Plan.

This money will not be counted when you are applying or reporting a change in your household.

Do you need health coverage? Apply at ONE.Oregon.gov today.

During this national emergency, it’s important that you have access to the health care you need. The Oregon Health Plan is free health coverage for those who qualify.

You can get OHP even if you have been denied in the past.

Applying for OHP is easier than before. Apply today at ONE.Oregon.gov or call 800-699-9075. Wait times may be long.

You can also get free help from a local community partner. Find a community partner in your area.

Get your prescriptions by mail

OHP members can get many prescriptions by mail.

Ask your pharmacy if they can mail your prescriptions for free. If you need help, call your CCO and ask about mail-order pharmacy services.

You can also check your member handbook for more information. Find your CCO’s contact information and handbook.

If your pharmacy won’t send your prescriptions, you can use the Postal Prescription Service. Call 800-552-6694 or sign up online.

Don’t run out of important medications

It’s important to keep taking medications as prescribed.

Refill your important medications at least two weeks before you run out.
You can ask for an emergency supply.

Pharmacies can help. If the pharmacist says it is “too soon,” tell them you need a refill now because of the COVID-19 emergency.

Stay home and use phone, video, and online appointments

You can set up appointments, talk to your providers, and get care without leaving your home. This is called “telehealth” and it’s free for OHP members.

Talk to your doctor or other providers about making a telehealth appointment.

You can also ask your CCO. If you need an interpreter or help in another language or format, tell your provider. They are there to help.

Learn more about getting care without leaving your home

Giving birth outside of a hospital during COVID-19

There are changes to out-of-hospital births for Oregon Health Plan members during the national coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency.

Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members who want to deliver their baby outside of a hospital can make a request with their doctor, midwife, or other provider. OHP has made some changes to the request process because of the COVID-19 emergency.

Before, you could only get approval for an out-of-hospital birth if you were fewer than 27 weeks, 6 days pregnant. Now, you can get approval to give birth outside of a hospital up to the 34th week of your pregnancy.
To prevent exposure to COVID-19, there are also changes to the list of risks that require a hospital delivery. Ask your provider about what has changed and what will work best for your delivery.

What happens when the COVID-19 emergency ends?

We don't know yet when the COVID-19 emergency will end. The federal government will let Oregon know 60 days before it ends.

After the COVID-19 emergency ends, we will figure out if all members can still get OHP benefits over the next year.

When we look over your OHP benefits, we will send a letter to let you know.
Members will get a letter about their OHP at different times.
We may ask you to send proof of something you told us or confirm that your information is still correct.

During the COVID-19 emergency, please tell us if your address changes. Also keep telling us about changes in your life. Click here to learn more about the changes you need to tell us.

Want to learn more? Click here to read the fact sheet

Fact sheets

COVID-19 home tests for OHP and CAWEM members

Audio: Mam

COVID-19 and flu vaccines for OHP and CAWEM members

Audio: Mam

COVID-19 vaccines for OHP members

OHP during the COVID-19 emergency

Getting care without leaving your home

CAWEM & COVID-19

Get help

Dial 211

Get answers to general questions about COVID-19

800-699-9075

Talk to OHP Customer Service

Find local help

COVID-19 concerns or issues

Contact the COVID-19 Feedback team:

Email COVID.19@dhsoha.state.or.us.

Leave a voicemail at 503-945-5488 (this line is in 12 languages).

Mail to:
Oregon Health Authority
Attn: COVID-19 Feedback Team
800 NE Oregon Street, Ste 930
Portland, OR 97232

More COVID-19 info

COVID-19 updates about cases, guidance, common questions and more.

ODHS COVID updates about food benefits, emergency help and more

National COVID-19 information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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