Health Related Social Needs
Beginning in 2024, eligible Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members who meet certain criteria can get new support for their Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN). These new services can help OHP members get through extreme weather events, get and keep a place to live, and afford quality food.
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To qualify for HRSN benefits, you must be a current Oregon Health Plan (OHP) member AND be in one or more of the following eligible groups:
- an adult or youth discharged within the past year from mental health or substance use disorder Institution for Mental Disease
- an adult or youth released within the past year from incarceration
- have been involved in the child welfare system at some point in your life
- Within the next three months or past nine months, you are transitioning from Medicaid-only to dual coverage (receiving both Medicaid and Medicare)
- you are houseless or at risk of becoming houseless and need help to keep my housing
- you are a young adult, aged 19-26, with Special Healthcare Needs (starting in 2025)
In addition to being an OHP member and being part of an eligible group, you also need to meet additional eligibility criteria depending on which HRSN service you are applying for:
If you are not sure if you are an OHP member, you can contact OHA’s Client Services Unit at 1-800-273-0557 to find out or contact your ODHS local branch.
If you are not an OHP member but may qualify for the plan, you can apply for OHP online at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/OHP/Pages/apply.aspx or by mail at any time of the year.
**To be eligible, you cannot be receiving the same or similar benefit through state-, local-, or federally-funded programs.
Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) services include:
- Climate supports (available March 2024) include air conditioners for heat risks, air filtration devices to protect against wildfire smoke, portable heaters, mini refrigeration units for medications, and portable power supplies to operate medical devices during power outages.
- OHP Climate Supports page: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/OHP/Pages/Climate-Supports.aspx
- Climate Resources FAQ: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/OHP/Tools/Climate-FAQ.pdf
- Housing supports (available November 2024) include help with the cost of rent, utilities, and other bills, help communicating with landlords, and support to achieve housing stability.
- Nutrition supports (available in 2025) include prescriptions for fruits and vegetables and covering the cost of meals.
- Outreach and engagement supports include help finding medical and nonmedical benefits.
Member Self Referral:
You can self refer for this benefit. Click the link below to begin the process.
Helpful Links
For more information:
- HRSN Services Webpage – Learn more about how Oregon is expanding Medicaid to cover more people and benefits
- Ways to Update Your Contact Information – Learn how you can update your contact information so we can reach you with updates on your benefits.
- Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Appeals and Hearings – Learn more about the steps you need to take to request a hearing if you disagree with a decision about your benefits.
Important resources:
- Data Authorization Form – Fill out this form to allow your CCO or FFS care coordinator to send your eligibility determination to an HRSN provider so they can help you.
- Tenants Have the Right to Install Portable Cooling Devices – Eligible for a climate device? Use this document to show your landlord that you have legal rights to install portable cooling devices.