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.
Unite Us Assistance Request Form
This is a referral form to the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) program.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be an OHP member.
- Have a health condition that makes extreme heat, cold temperature, poor air quality, or power outages particularly challenging or dangerous for you.
- Be in one of the groups listed in Questions 15 and 16 of the form below that puts you at increased risk of poor health. (Scroll down for the complete list of covered groups.)
- Currently need a heater, air conditioner, air filter, mini-refrigerator for medications, or a portable power supply.
- Request the service and agree to share your information to see if you are eligible.
Your health plan will review this form to connect with you and determine whether you are eligible for HRSN benefits.
Who can complete this form?
- You
- Parent or guardian
- A caregiver, friend, or a staff member from an organization may also help you complete this form. Please note that you or your parent/guardian must sign the consent to receive services at the bottom of the form.
What needs to be completed?
- Please fill out as much of the form as possible.
- The information in Questions #1-14 must be completed before submitting the form. Your health plan will contact you to complete the process.
There is a standard limit of one climate device type per household. However, exceptions may be made based on individual circumstances. If you are requesting climate-related equipment for more than one member of your household, please fill out a HRSN Request Form for each person.
Questions?
For questions, please call Advanced Health at 541-269-7400 or email us at socialhealth@advancedhealth.com
Unite Us Assistance Request Form:
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.