Health Assistance Programs in Washington County

Because the funding for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) has been reduced, mainly children under 19, pregnant women, and the disabled who qualify financially, can get coverage. So even if you don’t qualify, you should apply for coverage for your children. If you are on the Oregon Health Plan and are currently paying monthly premiums, don’t be late or miss any payments or you will be removed from OHP and won’t be able to get back on until you pay all past due premiums!

What do you do if you can’t get on the Oregon Health Plan?

If you aren’t covered under the Oregon Health Plan, there are other health care programs that you might qualify for, as well as free clinics that treat the uninsured. The Department of Human Services can also tell you what programs you might qualify for.

Go through the following questions and see if you qualify for any of these assistance programs.

Can you get insurance through your work, but need help paying for it?

• Try FHIAP - Family Health Insurance Assistance Program
  FHIAP helps uninsured individuals and families, who meet income guidelines, buy insurance at work or pay for individual insurance. Depending on your family size and income, FHIAP pays from 50% to 95% of your monthly insurance premium, so your monthly cost for health insurance is usually $25 or less. FHIAP can only help you if you have not had insurance for the past six months or you’re leaving the Oregon Health Plan.
  Applying for FHIAP: Call 1 (888) 564-9669 (toll-free). If you cannot get insurance through your work, you will be placed on a mailing list and an application will be mailed to you when there’s an opening. If you can get insurance through your work, download an application, instructions, and checklist, or call 1 (888) 564-9669 (toll-free) to have it mailed to you. Learn more about the FHIAP program. 

Are you recently unemployed, but used to have insurance through your work?

• Try COBRA - Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
  COBRA is a federal program that gives certain former employees, retirees, and their families the right to keep the medical coverage they received from their former employer. If you or a dependent family member has recently lost health insurance received from an employer, contact the human resources department of your former employer for information about getting health insurance through COBRA.

 Are you a dislocated worker or did you take early retirement?

• Try the Federal Health Care Tax Credit (HCTC)
  Certain dislocated workers, early retirees, and their dependents can get 65% of their health insurance premium costs covered by the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC). If you qualify, you can either claim the tax credit at the end of the year on your tax return or you can have the money paid directly to your qualified health plan each month by the IRS. In order to claim the HCTC on your federal tax return, you must complete and submit IRS Form 8885, Health Coverage Tax Credit, or call the IRS at 1 (800) 829-3676. (You need Adobe Acrobat to open some of these files. If you don’t have it, get a free download.) There are instructions on the form describing who can claim the HCTC. Learn more about the Health Care Tax Credit at the IRS website or call 1 (866) 628-4282 for information.

 Are you at least 65 years old or do you have disabilities?

• Try Medicare
  Medicare provides health insurance to adults who are at least 65 years old and people of any age with kidney disease and certain disabilities. Learn more.
• Try SHIBA - Senior Health Insurance Benefit Assistance Program
  SHIBA is a group of trained volunteers who help people with Medicare with any Medicare problems or questions. SHIBA helps people understand their rights and options so they can make better health-insurance decisions. Get information and materials from SHIBA about health insurance, Medicare and long term care from their website or by calling 1 (800) 722-4134. Contact the Department of Aging & Veterans' Services in Washington County at (503) 615-4696 to contact a SHIBA volunteer.

Do you need help paying for your prescriptions?

• Try Free and Low-Cost Prescription Assistance Programs
  Many prescription drug makers offer certain medications for free or at low-cost for people with limited incomes and high prescription drug costs. Find out if you can get help with your prescription costs.