From all of us at Project Access NOW, we wish you and your family health and safety as we work together to contain the spread of COVID-19. As efforts to contain the outbreak continue, we would like to encourage our clients to follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) guidelines:

Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick (CDC)

COVID-19 Information flyers in multiple languages (OHA)

Our team is primarily working from home. We are setting up systems to continuing to provide client support and help navigate the Health Insurance Marketplace.

For clients and new Marketplace applicants, enrollments and updates can be done over the phone and documents can be shared through secure email. Our team is available to help the community continue to enroll in health insurance plans. People can also apply through Healthcare.gov or call the Marketplace at 1-800-318-2596.

(Special enrollment periods do still apply during this time. Please visit www.healthreformbeyondthebasics.org/sep-reference-chart for additional information about these restrictions.)

We know that COVID-19 is affecting many employers and businesses. If you currently have a Marketplace insurance plan and are laid off from your job you may be eligible for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP).. Please contact the Premium Assistance program before you apply for the Oregon Health Plan so we may help guide you through the process.

During this time of year, many of our clients experience losing advance premium tax credits (APTCs), which are an eligibility requirement. We are working closely with insurance carrier partners to identify clients early and work with them to keep APTCs active or reinstate when necessary. When APTCs are lost we have flexibility to address these on a case by case basis. If you have a Marketplace insurance plan and you see a different cost on your monthly premium bill, please contact the Premium Assistance program immediately.

How to reach the Premium Assistance team:

Call or Fax: 503-345-6576

Email: pa@projectaccessnow.org

Please note: Due to the high volume of calls and emails, we may take some extra time to respond to your inquiry. You will receive a response – your patience is appreciated during this unprecedented time.

Assistance is available in English and Spanish / Español.

Premium Assistance

Private insurance is out of reach for families who are a little over income for Medicaid due to out-of-pocket costs associated with premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and prescriptions. People who earn a dollar too much or don’t qualify due to immigration status are affected the most. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance was made accessible for more people but many still could not afford it. In 2014, the Premium Assistance program was launched to address this need.

The Premium Assistance clients earn below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level and qualify for a tax credit through the Federal Marketplace. The Premium Assistance program leverages the tax credits and cost-sharing reductions available to participants to pay the balance of the premiums for the medical plans they have selected through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

The Premium Assistance program pays the monthly insurance premium for participants. The program also works with participants and providers to help lower additional out-of-pocket expenses and continues to seek ways to add benefits to participants.

In 2018, the Pharmacy Bridge program and Premium Assistance program began a collaboration that can allow pharmacies to waive medication co-pays for participants. This is another way Project Access NOW leverages resources to improve the health and well-being of the community.

Last year, Premium Assistance paid $963,098 in medical premiums, insuring 737 individuals from 550 households.

The end result is access to health insurance and medical care for low to no-cost for many people who would not otherwise be able to afford it. Through combining programs and resources, Project Access NOW continues to create access to care, services and resources for those most in need.

Update Your Health Insurance Application /
Actualiza Su Aplicación de Seguro Médico

It is very important to report life changes to the Marketplace to keep your health insurance active and make sure you don’t owe money when you file taxes.

Learn more and update your health insurance application ›

Es importante que reporte cambios del hogar al Mercado para que su seguro se mantenga activo y para asegurar que usted no debe dinero cuando haga los impuestos.

Aprenda más y actualiza su aplicación de seguro médico ›

Contact Premium Assistance

• By phone: (503) 345-6576
• By email
• Book an appointment to sign up for Health Insurance Marketplace