(Portland, OR) -- Today, Health Share of Oregon Chief Executive Officer Janet Meyer announced plans to ensure stability and access to behavioral health services for all tri-county Oregon Health Plan members as FamilyCare Health begins its transition to close by the end of January.
"Quality mental health and substance use treatment services are critical, as are stable patient provider-relationships--and we are keenly aware that any disruption in these life-saving services would create hardship and risk for the people who count on them," said Meyer. "With newly enrolled members starting February 1, we see opportunity to think about delivering services in new ways, including expansion of co-located services."
Meyer confirmed that Health Share has capacity to serve all Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties, and that its mental health and substance use provider network has significant overlap with FamilyCare's network. Health Share contracts both with large community mental health centers providing a full array of services, including Central City Concern, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, and Lifeworks NW, as well as smaller practices and solo practitioners.
"We've worked closely with both tri-county CCOs over the last five years, and we are confident that Cascadia and other agencies like ours can provide Health Share's new members with the high quality behavioral health services they deserve," said Derald Walker, Ph.D., President and CEO for Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare.
Health Share's behavioral health initiatives and programs reflect the collaborative efforts of Health Share and its partners as they work toward a regional system, one in which mental health and addictions services are administered with standardized care management throughout the tri-county area. By bringing together services for mental health and substance use and breaking down geographical limitations among the three counties, Health Share members can access seamless coverage and care wherever they live.
Health Share will take the following proactive steps to adapt to the need of new members:
- Honor previously approved services and out-of-network behavioral health assignments for at least three months after FamilyCare closes, with potential extension beyond the initial 90-day period to ensure appropriate care coordination and continuity.
- Assess opportunities to expand co-located services--integrating primary care and behavioral health.
- Continue existing efforts to promote a single, regional system for behavioral health care.
- Offer patient assistance to any members who need help finding new behavioral health providers if necessary.
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Health Share of Oregon is the state's largest coordinated care organization (CCO), serving more than 210,000 Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Our mission is to partner with communities to achieve ongoing transformation, health equity, and the best possible health for each individual.
Health Share was founded and continues to be governed by eleven health care organizations serving OHP members: Adventist Health, CareOregon, Central City Concern, Clackamas County, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, Multnomah County, Oregon Health & Science University, Providence Health & Services, Tuality Health Alliance and Washington County.
December 27, 2017
