Provider updates

Weather events and climate hazards can be dangerous for anyone, but especially impact individuals with chronic health conditions or other risk factors.

Starting March 1, CareOregon members that are at high risk for poor health outcomes due to weather events are eligible to receive the following climate-related devices:

• Air conditioners for individuals at health risk due to significant heat (e.g., pregnancy, young children, adults over 85 years old, behavioral health conditions, diabetes)
• Heaters for individuals at increased health risk due to significant cold (e.g., pregnancy, young children, adults over 65 years old, behavioral health conditions)
• Air filtration devices and replacement filers for individuals at health risk due to compromised air quality (e.g., chronic respiratory conditions, individuals using home oxygen, pregnancy)
• Mini refrigeration units as needed for medication storage (e.g., medications for diabetes, glaucoma, or asthma)
• Portable power supplies for individuals who need access to electricity-dependent equipment (e.g., communication devices, dialysis machines, feeding pumps)

To request a climate-related device, members can submit a request form directly to CareOregon, or clinics or community organizations can submit the form on a member’s behalf. The climate-related device request form is available on CareOregon’s and Columbia Pacific’s websites (web-based form coming soon!).   Climate-related devices will be provided through the newly approved Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) benefit and Health Related Services Flex (HRSF) program. Members will be screened for eligibility for both HRSN and HRSF when they submit their climate-related device request form. More information is available on CareOregon’s, Columbia Pacific’s and OHA’s website.