Oregon expands medical care

The 2009 Legislature has opened up the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Standard for free or low-cost health coverage to a limited number of Oregon residents who:

• Do not have health care insurance

• Are ages 19–64

• Are not pregnant

• Have limited income

Other plans that cover pregnant women or people younger than 19 have different eligibility requirements and are always open. People who want to know if they are eligible for one of these plans can complete an OHP application at any Department of Human Services (DHS) branch office or call 1-800-359-9517.

Openings are limited

For OHP Standard, the DHS will randomly select names from a reservation list for an opportunity to apply. People who qualify should get on the list as soon as possible.

For those who were on the list last year:

• DHS sent letters in September asking if you’d like to be on this year's list. Follow the directions in the letter to tell DHS if you are still interested.

• For those who were on the list but don’t have the letter, call 1-800-699-9075 or e-mail standard.reservation@state.or.us. You will need to give your reservation number from the list last year, plus your name, address and date of birth.

For those who weren't on the list but want to be, use one of these options:

• Fill out a request form online at www.oregon.gov/DHS/open.

• Pick up a form at your county health department, most hospitals and clinics, or any DHS or Area Agency on Aging office. Fill it out and mail it in.

• Call 1-800-699-9075 (TTY/TDD 503-378-7800) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Oregon Healthy Kids

If your children don’t have health insurance, check out Oregon Healthy Kids. Just go to oregonhealthykids.gov, call 1-877-314-5678 or pick up an application at your local DHS branch office.

Fight the flu

(NOTICE: Due to declining demand for telephone flu advice, the nurse triage unit of the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline has been suspended, effective January 27, 2010.)

If you are sick with the flu and want to know if you should see a doctor, or if you just want information about the H1N1 ("swine") flu, you can call a nurse.

Nurses are on call at the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday and holidays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call the hotline at 1-800-978-3040.

A new telephone number for CareOregon TTY/TDD

CareOregon’s new TTY/TDD number is 1-800-735-2900.