Updated 5/3/2024 5
What is considered an eligible citizenship or immigration status for OHP Bridge?
To qualify for OHP Bridge, adults must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or a lawfully
present immigrant. Lawfully present includes people who have a qualified non-citizen
immigration status (there is no waiting period for OHP Bridge), a humanitarian status or
circumstance (including Temporary Protected Status, Special Juvenile Status, asylum
applicants, Convention Against Torture, victims of trafficking), a valid non-immigrant
visa (like a student or employment visa), or a legal status conferred by other laws
(temporary resident status, LIFE Act, Family Unity individuals). Currently, people with a
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status and people without documentation
do not qualify for OHP Bridge.
How many people are expected to be eligible for OHP Bridge?
OHP Bridge will cover about 100,000 people. Of those 100,000 people:
• Up to 55,000 people who currently have OHP Plus are expected to move to OHP
Bridge when it launches in July 2024.
• Over 11,000 people who are currently uninsured will sign up for OHP Bridge,
according to research.
• Another 35,000 people who currently have a health plan through the Marketplace
will move to OHP Bridge. People with income above 200 percent of the federal
poverty level can still get coverage and financial help through the Marketplace.
What benefits will OHP Bridge have?
OHP Bridge will cover medical, dental and behavioral health care. Members will have
access to OHP Plus benefits, like rides to appointments and health services.
OHP Bridge will not cover long-term services and supports (LTSS). LTSS are available
to eligible OHP Plus members through programs run by the Oregon Department of
Human Services (ODHS). People can qualify for LTSS if they need help with activities
of daily living and meet “level of care” needs, in addition to other financial and
nonfinancial criteria. In most cases, income-eligibility in Oregon’s LTSS programs is
higher than OHP Bridge limits. This means that people meeting “level of care” criteria
who have income in the OHP Bridge range will continue have access to LTSS through
existing programs, if they meet all other eligibility requirements. The creation of OHP
Bridge will not affect eligibility for LTSS services or create gaps in the Medicaid
program.
How much will OHP Bridge cost for members?
Just like OHP Plus, OHP Bridge is free to members. That means no premiums, no co-
payments, no coinsurance, and no deductibles.
Background
How was OHP Bridge created?
The Oregon legislature passed a law known as House Bill 4035 (2022). The law says
the state must help people who regularly enroll and disenroll in OHP Plus because of
frequent changes in income.
What’s the status of OHP Bridge? What is the timeline?