Starting Jan. 1, kids whose families earn between 200-300 percent of the federal poverty level will be eligible
October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009 -- When state officials announced the health insurers that will participate in the Kids Connect program, there were no surprises.
After opening the secret bid documents, PacificSource, as anticipated, was the only insurer vying for the statewide contract to cover children whose families earn between 200-300 percent of the federal poverty level.
“We intent to award bids subject to negotiations,” announced Tom Jovick, administrator of the Office of Private Health Partnerships, which will administer the program.
The four regional bidders include Trillium Community Health based in Eugene, Kaiser Permanente, Samaritan Health Plans in Corvallis and Clear One Health – which includes Marion-Polk Community Health Plan, Clear Choice Health Plans, Douglas County IPA and the Children’s Health Alliance, a group of 103 pediatricians in the Portland metropolitan area.
When the program rolls out, next January, children whose families earn above the poverty line – more than $44,100 – will only have to pay a small subsidy -- 15-30 percent of the insurance premium. Their insurance coverage will be similar to the Oregon Health Plan and include medical, dental, vision care, prescription drugs, mental health and chemical dependency services and medical equipment – without any co-pays or deductibles.
Meanwhile, children whose families earn below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level can now enroll in the Oregon Health Plan.
For more information or request an application, call 1-877-314-5678. More information is also available at www.oregonhealthykids.
