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For Immediate Release: September 15, 2023
Since 2007, Project Access NOW (PANOW) has existed as the “safety net to the safety net,” supporting public and private health systems to provide all individuals with access to affordable health care. The health care system in our state and country is constantly evolving with new legislation, new industry trends, and new public health issues. As the healthcare landscape changes, we are adapting our work to better serve our clients. Just this year, we’ve seen the following new legislation cause huge ripple effects in our systems:
1. Healthier Oregon: Expanded Oregon Health Plan (OHP) access to folks of all immigration statuses who meet other eligibility requirements, meaning many undocumented individuals previously ineligible can now seek coverage via OHP.
2. COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE): The PHE ended in May of 2023, causing all individuals on the Oregon Health Plan to have their eligibility redetermined, meaning changes in coverage for many Oregonians.
3. Basic Health Plan: As a mitigation strategy for the end of the PHE, the Basic Health Plan will cover individuals with incomes between 138 – 200% FPL with an OHP-like plan available on the Marketplace free of cost to consumers and will begin rolling out in mid-2024.
As a result of these new policies, PANOW and its programming must evolve as the needs in our communities shift to continue to ensure all individuals can access the affordable health care they deserve. To that end, we are very pleased to announce that as of October 1st, 2023, two of PANOW’s flagship programs, our Donated Care program and Payment Support program, will be raising their financial eligibility requirements to 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Other eligibility requirements for these programs have stayed the same and can be found below.
What does this expanded eligibility mean for our partners?
1. Able to refer more clients to our programs! As more people become eligible for our programs, you may see an increase in the quantity of referrals you send our way.
2. Updated Forms: We’ll be sending some new forms and documents your way with updated language to reflect this change. Please distribute these documents to your team and ensure that they are being used as of October 1st, 2023.
3. Workflows: As eligibility requirements shift, it is of heightened importance that partners confirm that individuals being referred to PANOW are ineligible for, and not currently enrolled in, the Oregon Health Plan.
Opportunities to Connect
We recognize that this update brings about new changes for our partners, clients, and community. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to connect with us regarding this update, please don’t hesitate to take one of the opportunities below to connect.
· PANOW Payment Support Info Session
October 3, 2023 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Link: Register for Zoom Meeting here.
· Contact Payment Support Program
Email: PA@projectaccessnow.org
Phone: 503-345-6576
· PANOW Donated Care Clinic Info Listening Session
o Link: Session I 10.04.2023, 03:00-04:00 pm
o Link: Session II 10.10.2023, 10:00-11:00 am
o Link: PANOW Clinical survey re: Healthier Oregon policy changes
· Contact Donated Care Program
Email: classic@projectaccessnow.org
Phone: 503-200-1245
We would also like to take this opportunity to share other services PANOW currently offers:
· Community Health Workers: PANOW’s team of Community Health Workers assist clients with navigating a complex health system and with moving between the organization’s different programs as income, immigration status, employment, and other life changes occur.
· Community Assistance Program: The Community Assistance Program connects individuals in need with the social health-related resources they need to stay healthy, whether it be while discharging from the hospital or through their Medicaid provider.
· Enrollment Support (Marketplace/OHP): PANOW Enrollment Assisters are available to help community members identify what health coverage they are eligible for, complete the enrollment process, and help individuals learn how to use their coverage.
Thank you!
To our clients, partners, and community: We thank you for your continued partnership with PANOW and your patience as we adapt to our ever-changing healthcare landscape. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions or would like to connect with us about these or future updates.
