CareOregon Medicare plan expands in Southwest Oregon

CareOregon's Medicare plan, CareOregon Advantage, will begin serving Medicare beneficiaries in Southwest Oregon beginning January 1, 2008. CareOregon Advantage will be a new option for "dual eligible" members-those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid-in Jackson and Josephine counties.

In Jackson County, CareOregon Advantage will provide services to dual eligible Medicare members with the same physician and hospital partners that now serve CareOregon's Medicaid population, said Peter McGarry, Provider Services Director.

In Josephine County, CareOregon Advantage will partner with Oregon Health Management Services (OHMS). CareOregon and OHMS will provide services to dual-eligible OHMS members. These members are patients of the Grants Pass Clinic, Siskiyou Community Health Center and many independent practices. OHMS members also receive their specialty care through a network of more than 330 providers.

The OHMS/CareOregon Advantage partnership should make the health care system easier for patients to navigate. Currently, they may have as many as three health plans: the Oregon Health Plan through OHMS for Medicaid, a Medicare fee-for-service open card, and a separate plan for Medicare Part D drug coverage. CareOregon Advantage and OHMS are working together to coordinate care and to assure that changes will be as seamless as possible for providers and members.

"We're looking forward to this partnership with OHMS in Josephine County," McGarry said. "And in both counties, we're looking forward to adding our Medicare experience and resources to that of the providers, who are as committed as we are to serving the medical needs of Medicare members."

Providers with questions about this expansion in Jackson and Josephine counties or the OHMS/CareOregon Advantage partnership may contact the CareOregon Provider Services Department, 1-800-224-4840.

Your Southwest Oregon Provider Relations representative

Sharon Madara is CareOregon’s Provider Relations representative for providers in Coos, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and other counties. A Medford Senior High School graduate, she still has family ties in Jackson County. Providers in these counties may contact Sharon at 1-503-416-1778, or by e-mail.