The State of Oregon implemented a program in 1997 designed to provide insurance coverage to low-income families by paying a portion of the family's coverage. The payment is actually a subsidy of the price of private insurance offered by an employer or insurance purchased by an individual. When a family is accepted, they are required to pay either 5%, 10%, or 30% of the monthly premium for the insurance. The plan does not, however, cover the cost of deductibles, co-pays, and other out-of-pocket costs associated with the insurance.
In order to apply for the Oregon State Health Insurance subsidy, an Oregon resident must have been uninsured for at least the six months prior to applying. An individual or family must meet other eligibility requirements as well, including an income requirement. Not everyone who qualifies is immediately accepted into the program. In most cases, residents will be placed on a waiting list when they apply, and they will not receive the plan subsidy unless a space in the program opens up.
Oregon State Health Insurance and Private Insurance
Once an individual or family is accepted into the program, a working member of the family must enroll in his/her employer's health insurance plan. If there is no employer plan available, the resident must purchase an individual insurance plan. The Oregon plan will subsidize the family or individual to the extent of paying a portion of the monthly premium.
The obvious goal of the program is to make sure that every Oregonian is covered with some type of health insurance. At the same time, it allows the state to stay out of the insurance provider business and gives recipients the chance to avoid the stress that comes when there is no health care coverage available. This is especially critical for children and the elderly. If you believe you may qualify for a subsidy, it is important that you contact the Family Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP) for more information.
