How to get the Oregon Health Plan or low-cost care in Oregon

The Oregon Health Plan in plain words

Medicaid is a program that pays for health care for people with lower incomes. Oregon calls its program the Oregon Health Plan, and most people shorten that to OHP. The Oregon Health Authority runs the plan, and the state says OHP pays for medical and dental care at no cost to members. It also pays for prescription drugs and behavioral health care. Behavioral health means mental health care and help with drug or alcohol problems.

Oregon expanded Medicaid to more adults on January 1, 2014. Adults under 65 can qualify when their household income is at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level. That level is a yearly dollar amount the government uses to measure poverty. The exact figure depends on how many people live in your home. Our guide on who qualifies for Medicaid explains the other groups.

According to the state, people of any age or immigration status may be eligible for full OHP benefits since July 1, 2023. The state says members who have OHP through Healthier Oregon move to OHP Open Card in January 2027. If you worry that your status could be a problem, you can still apply and let the state decide.

Applying for OHP

Enrollment for OHP is always open, so you can apply in any month. The state gives you three ways to apply.

• You can apply online at ONE.Oregon.gov by clicking Apply Now. You will make a new ONE account if you do not have one.
• You can call ONE Customer Service at 1-800-699-9075.
• You can go in person to a local Oregon Department of Human Services office or to an OHP-certified community partner.

A paper application is also available to print, and it comes in many languages. Oregon has a short tool on its website that tells you whether you may qualify for OHP or other coverage. To get ready, see our guide on how to apply for Medicaid, which lists the papers to gather first.

The state says you can often keep private insurance and still have OHP. In that case, your doctor bills the private plan first, and OHP then helps with copays and services the private plan does not cover.

OHP Bridge for people who earn a bit more

OHP Bridge is an Oregon benefit for adults whose income is just above the usual OHP limit. The state says it is for adults up to age 65 who have no access to affordable health insurance. Their income must be between 133 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Bridge covers medical care, dental care, mental health care and rides to medical visits. Members pay nothing, and you apply through the same ONE system.

The Oregon Health Authority lists income ranges that change each year with the poverty guidelines, so check the current chart before you rule yourself out.

Changes coming in 2027

Starting January 1, 2027, some OHP adults ages 19 to 64 must show that they meet a new federal work rule. They show this when they apply or renew. A month counts when your household income is above $580 or you go to school at least half time. It also counts when you add up work, volunteer hours and school time to reach 80 hours. Members can report an exemption in the ONE system. In 2027 the state does not ask for extra papers when a health condition keeps you from working.

The state lists many exemptions, and parents and caregivers of a child 13 or younger do not have to meet the rule. People who are pregnant or in the first year after a pregnancy are also exempt. People on Medicare and people in drug or alcohol treatment are exempt too. If you already meet the work rules for SNAP or TANF, that counts for OHP as well. SNAP is the federal food aid program, and TANF is a cash help program for families. Oregon says the list may change as it studies the federal rules.

Starting January 1, 2027, help with past medical bills drops from three months to one month for many adults. Late in 2027, most adults ages 19 to 64 also move from two-year renewals to six-month renewals. Children and people on Medicare will renew once a year.

Keep your address and phone number current in the ONE system, and open every letter from the state. Our Medicaid work requirement guide explains how this works across the country.

If your income is above the OHP limit

Oregon is moving away from HealthCare.gov for its marketplace. The Oregon Health Authority says a state-run site called Explore Health launches on November 1, 2026, for plan year 2027. A marketplace is a website where you compare private health plans. It also shows whether you qualify for a tax credit, which is government money that lowers your monthly payment. Open enrollment runs from November 1 through January 15, and the marketplace help line is 855-268-3767.

If you sign up by December 31, coverage starts January 1. If you sign up from January 1 through January 15, coverage starts February 1. The extra federal credits ended after 2025, and the 400 percent of poverty income cap came back in 2026. If you recently lost a job, read our guide on losing your insurance.

Clinics, license checks and emergency rights in Oregon

Community health centers charge by income and family size and see everyone. To find one, enter your zip code in the free Find a Health Center tool from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The Oregon Primary Care Association represents these centers in the state. Ask each center about its sliding fee, which is a price scale based on what you earn. Our guide to sliding-scale clinics can help you compare.

The Oregon Medical Board has a License Verification page where you can verify a provider's license. You can also find a provider by place and specialty and look up any discipline or malpractice information.

Some Oregon doctors offer direct primary care, which means you pay a flat monthly fee for visits and the office does not bill insurance. Our directory lists cash-pay doctors you can search. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Federal law says an emergency room must examine you whether or not you can pay. If a bill comes later, ask the hospital about its financial assistance program.