Statewide news

OHP's 2003 cuts led to increased emergency room use

It’s no surprise to health care professionals, but a recent study confirms: An increase in people without health insurance leads to more use of hospital emergency rooms.

According to research published recently in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, membership in the Oregon Health Plan’s standard plan declined from 103,000 in to about 51,000 in 2003. That same year, emergency room visits in Oregon increased by 23 percent.

Dr. Robert Lowe, director of the Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, led the research.

Researchers looked at the records of 26 of the state’s 58 hospitals. These hospitals represent nearly two-thirds of the emergency visits in the state and 94 percent of those in the Portland area.

"While emergency hospitalizations for uninsured patients increased by 50 percent, rates for other groups remained about the same," Dr. Lowe said.

In addition, many of these patients, lacking access to primary care, had delayed getting care until they needed costly hospitalization.

For more information, download the Annals of Emergency Medicine article or visit the OHSU web site.

Oregon Health Plan applicants have more time to file

The Oregon Department of Human Services has extended the deadline for applicants to apply for the Oregon Health Plan.

Applicants now have 45 days to return applications for OHP Standard and other Oregon Health Plan programs.

“We extended the deadline to bring the Oregon Health Plan in line with requirements for other DHS cash and medical benefit programs that allow 45 days,” said Lynn Read, senior deputy administrator in the state Medicaid office of the Oregon Department of Human Services.

“This will reduce possible confusion for both the public and our workers.”

DMAP tests prenatal benefits

A 15-month pilot program offers prenatal care to pregnant women who are currently eligible only for CAWEM Emergency Medical benefits.

The pilot launched April 1 in Multnomah and Deschutes counties.

While they are pregnant, women participating in the program are eligible for all services covered by the Oregon Health Plan Plus benefit package except:

• Sterilizations
• Therapeutic abortions
• Hospice care services
• Death with dignity services

After the pregnancy ends, the Division of Medical Assistance Programs (DMAP) will pay only for:

• Hospital services for childbirth up until the time of discharge
• Postpartum services only if provided through a bundled rate
• Emergency services

Although participants must live in the two counties, they may receive services anywhere in the state.

Clients who are eligible for the program will be identified on their DMAP Medical Care ID. The ID will show “AE” in field 9b.

Questions may be directed to DMAP Provider Services at 800-336-6016 or by e-mail.

Forest Grove OKs school health clinic

FOREST GROVE-The Forest Grove School District will move ahead with plans to establish a health center at Forest Grove High School.

The school board authorized the center after listening to testimony at a public hearing attended by more than 120 people. According to the school district, most spoke in favor of the center, although a number of parents previously had vocally opposed the center.

The health center will be staffed, operated and funded through a local medical provider. Services will include immunizations, sports physicals, routine exams, vision and dental screenings and mental health services.

The objective is to provide easier access to health services for all students.

For more information, visit the school district's web site or review the school health clinic Q&A.

Innovative” Oregon children’s mental health services praised

Improvements to mental health services for Oregon children have drawn favorable national attention. The National Center for Children in Poverty calls the changes initiated several years ago by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) “innovative.”

Oregon is among 24 states noted in the center's Towards Better Behavioral Health for Children, Youth and Their Families for bringing primary prevention and early intervention into the mainstream of behavioral health financing.

As a result of the changes initiated by the DHS Addictions and Mental Health Division, children's use of Oregon community-based mental health services has increased over the last two years, while use of psychiatric residential treatment and acute care services has decreased. Family participation in treatment decisions and their satisfaction levels are up.

The changes were launched under a directive from the 2003 Legislature to increase the availability and quality of children's mental health care. Children's behavioral health services were fully integrated into mental health organizations in October 2005 as the Children's System Change Initiative.

An executive summary of the report is available from the National Center for Children in Poverty.

The Oregon Department of Human Services also can provide more information.

Health insurance increases lead to more uninsured

The Register Guard, July 5—The recent 26 percent increase in the cost of health care for individual insured Oregonians by the state's largest insurer will push insurance out of range for more people, with the subsequent impact to society. full story...