Preserving patients right to choose licensed practitioners with the new changes to the Oregon Health Plan

As many may or may not have heard, Oregon has already begun to change the way it manages state medicaid patients.  There are a number of modifications that are being implemented at different points in time and to attempt to explain everything here is not feasible at this point in time.  What I can provide is a brief summary with what has already happened and some of the soon coming changes.

Why change:

In order to help manage increasing health care costs and streamline care provided by a number of professional types. The hope and plan is that individuals requiring care for physical, mental and dental health and wellness can receive the care they need in an efficient and cost effective manner.

What is changing:

As of November 1st, 2012 many individuals on the Oregon Health Plan Open Card were transitioned to a regionally managed Coordinated Care Organization.  Fortunately as a result of much hard by the Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians work Governor’s office and the Oregon Health Authority are allowing current open card members to continue care with their naturopathic physicians

What will be changing:

January 1st, 2013 new open cards will not be issued expect for special populations including First People’s and some individuals receiving both medicaid and medicare.

What this means:

Licensed providers who were seeing patients under the open card or were fee for service providers will not be able to continue the therapeutic relationships already established.

Who is affected:

Naturopathic Physicians, Licensed Direct Entry Midwives, possibly others.

What can be done: