Brokerage services are Medicaid services. You’ll soon receive a notice from the State of Oregon about your Medicaid services.
INW is here to help you understand what IS and what ISN’T happening.
What's Happening and Why
By now, you may have heard of H.R. 1, a law passed by Congress last year. Dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” by President Trump, H.R. 1’s sweeping legislation will change expectations for some Medicaid recipients starting in 2027.
Our team at INW has been closely following this legislation – as well as many legal challenges to its implementation.
In the next couple of weeks, the Oregon Department of Human Services / Oregon Health Authority will be sending notices out to over 600,000 Medicaid recipients across the state. These notices will explain that certain Medicaid recipients may be subject to 80 hours per month of work requirements, education, job training, or community service starting in 2027.
You will receive a notice that looks similar to the one we’ve included on this page.
However, we estimate that less than 10% of our customers will be subject to these new requirements. The state is sending letters to everyone to cast a wide net and we know that may cause some confusion.
That’s why we’re writing.
We're here to help.
Right now, our team at INW is reviewing eligibility data from the state and working to determine which of our customers may be subject to these new requirements.
If we think you might be affected, we will contact you. In the meantime, there are some things everyone should do to be ready.
Your Next Steps
Here are some important steps to take as soon as you can:
- Make sure you have an Oregon ONE Online Account
- Download the ONE App for iPhone here
- Download the ONE App for Android here
- Once logged in, make sure your address and other contact information is up to date.
- If your info changes at any point, don’t forget to update it in ONE.
Implementation of the H.R.1 change is expected to create a pretty big workload across Medicaid offices. The best thing you can do to get the most updated information is to keep your details current so you are sure to receive any and all notices from the state.
Your re-determination date will be listed on the first page of the state’s notice. If you are contacted for a re-determination at any point, it’s very important to be responsive.
INW's Next Steps
If we believe you may be affected by the new Work Requirements, we’re going to contact you and talk to you about your options for keeping your Medicaid services.
For some customers, this may mean they will need to go through a new Medicaid eligibility process that will remove the Work Requirements. For others, it may mean they’ll need to file an exemption. And for a small number of INW customers, it will mean meeting the Work Requirements.
There are so many variables and each person’s situation is unique. We will approach this on an individual basis as we always do.
About Medicaid
Medicaid is a term Americans use a lot, but because the program is so expansive, it’s hard to know all of the programs it includes.
In Oregon, Medicaid is a very large program and pays for things like:
The Oregon Health Plan (healthcare, sometimes called Obamacare)
SNAP Food Benefits (Oregon Trail Card, sometimes called food stamps)
Home and Community-Based Direct Care (paying the wages for Personal Support Workers, Direct Support Professionals working at Provider Agencies, and Behavior Support Professionals)
Home and Community-Based Services and Supplies (Behavior Support Plans, Chore Services, specialized supplies, and more)
Remaining eligible for Medicaid means being able to continue to access these services.
Please note that this is not a full list of Medicaid services, but these are the services the majority of INW’s customer’s access.
Resources
Sign up for INW’s newsletter at www.independencenw.org/signup
For the latest on HR1, visit the Oregon Health Authority HR webpage at www.OHP.Oregon.gov/HR1