Sara Hussein, one of the fine people in my office working hard to serve Portlanders every day, sent me the following after attending a meeting in Salem reviewing options for Oregonians lacking health care insurance.  The programs listed are existing ways to find help.  We will post more information about the new State program covering most children in families with low incomes, soon.

Citizen/Alien Waived Emergency Medial (CAWEM) Coverage

CAWEM is basic health insurance for non-citizens which is administered through the Oregon Health Plan (OHP).  It’s not full health care coverage and only covers emergency services, including delivery of a baby.  A person can get coverage under this by filling out the OHP application and the eligibility specialist that looks over the application will then place that person in the program.  For more information, please visit the OHP website at www.oregon.gov/DHS/healthplan/app_benefits/main.shtml or call the OHP Processing center at 1-800-359-9517 for help in filling out an application.

Family Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP)

FHIAP helps Oregon families that do not qualify for the Oregon Health Plan, yet cannot afford private insurance.  FHIAP helps families pay up to 95% of monthly premiums for private health insurance plans.  Applicants must be uninsured for the past six months and meet income guidelines.  For more information, please visit their website at www.fhiap.oregon.gov or call them at 1-888-564-9669.

Oregon Medical Insurance Pool (OMIP)

This program was established by the Oregon Legislature to covers adults and children who cannot obtain other medical insurance because of pre-existing medical conditions.  It is also available for those that have exhausted COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act - more information here) benefits and have no other options.  For eligibility requirements and additional information on OMIP, visit their website at www.omip.state.or.us for call them at 1-800-848-7280.

Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA)

SHIBA is a federal/state program that provides free advice to people with Medicare and their families.  Trained volunteers provide counseling to help people with Medicare make insurance choices.  For additional information, visit their website at www.oregonshiba.org or call them at 1-800-722-4134.