October 2023 Newsletter

Hello and happy Fall!

You are receiving this newsletter because you've shown an interest in Project Access NOW's work. The intention of this bi-monthly newsletter is to share important updates and highlights, as well as information about our programs.

Highlights from this month's newsletter include:

Program FPL Eligibility Update - Increase to 400% FPL
Open Enrollment Assistance
PANOW’s Growing Team & World Café Discussion
PANOW Featured in Article about Universal Health Plan Governance Board

Eligibility Expansion from 200% to 400% FPL

Donated Care and Payment Support Programs

Since 2007, Project Access NOW (PANOW) has existed as the “safety net to the safety net,” supporting public and private health systems to provide all individuals with access to affordable health care. The health care system in our state and country is constantly evolving with new legislation, new industry trends, and new public health issues. As the healthcare landscape changes, we are adapting our work to better serve our clients.

To that end, we are very pleased to announce that as of October 1st, 2023, two of PANOW’s flagship programs, our Donated Care program and Payment Support program, will be raising their financial eligibility requirements to 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). You can find more information via the official announcement on our website here.

Open Enrollment Assistance

Our Insurance Enrollment & Payment Support team is busy getting ready for Open Enrollment!

We can help clients apply to the Marketplace and to our Payment Support program, which can pay monthly insurance premiums in full! The program’s previous Federal Poverty Level (FPL) limit was up to 200% FPL, but the updated Payment Support Program Eligibility guidelines offer expanded coverage for clients up to 400% FPL.

Please share our information and this Open Enrollment flyer (English and Spanish versions) with your communities and clients.

For more information or to book an appointment:

PANOW’s Growing Team & World Café Discussion

Our team has grown significantly in the past few months, so we took the opportunity to take a new group picture at this month's All Staff Meeting! We were joined this month by DEI consultants Clarice Bailey and Nicole Blake for a World Cafe discussion with lots of thought-provoking and inspiring conversations. Getting the whole team together in one place is always a pleasure, especially to do such necessary and vital work!

PANOW Featured in Universal Health Plan Governance Board Article

Project Access NOW CEO Carly Hood-Ronick’s public letter to Governor Kotek regarding the SB 1089 Universal Health Plan Governance Board legislation in Oregon was quoted in a recent Healthcare Innovation article.

PANOW is very pleased that our state has taken this next critical step towards universal coverage in Oregon, and we look forward to the results of this governance board. Read our full letter on the subject here and check the News section of our website to find other PANOW policy and advocacy updates!

Data continues to show that more than 3 out of 4 Oregonians are keeping medical benefits

The Oregon Health Authority recently released another update on Medicaid redetermination efforts in Oregon after the end of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The recent bulletin shows that more than 7 out of 10 Oregonians are keeping their Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or other Medicaid benefits.

As of September 21^st, 807,765 individuals have been assessed for renewal (55.3% of all Medicaid members in Oregon), and 522,613 of those individuals were renewed (70.1%).

Among those completed renewals, Oregon has the third lowest benefit closure rate in the nation. Project Access NOW is proud to be a part of this effort, assisting individuals in responding to requests for information or signing up for a Marketplace plan when needed.

Are you or someone you know losing OHP? Please contact our Insurance Enrollment and Payment Support Team for assistance in 230 languages.

Call/Fax: (503) 345-7031

Email: oea@projectaccessnow.org

Book an appointment: https://projectaccessnow.simplybook.me