Groceries are now part of the Oregon Health Plan for some members. As of Wednesday, enrollees who meet income and medical criteria are starting to receive new nutrition benefits that deliver either home-delivered grocery boxes or preloaded cards for people facing food insecurity. The rollout introduces a Fruit & Vegetable Benefit and a Pantry Stocking Benefit that the state says can supply eligible members with fresh and minimally processed produce, proteins, dairy and other staples for up to six months.
The changes are part of the state’s Health-Related Social Needs program and launched on July 1. As detailed in a post by the Oregon Health Authority on Facebook, qualifying members will receive either a home-delivered grocery box or a preloaded card, depending on their health plan.
Who qualifies and what providers should know
Not every Oregon Health Plan enrollee will be eligible. Members must be enrolled in OHP, be experiencing a qualifying life circumstance, have low or very low food security, and have a qualifying health condition. Providers are being asked to help members apply and to set expectations about authorization and availability.
CareOregon highlights prioritized groups such as people leaving incarceration, youth with special health care needs and households experiencing homelessness. Clinicians and care coordinators are expected to steer eligible members to the right request pathway.
What the fruit and pantry benefits include
The Pantry Stocking benefit can provide a portion of a household’s recommended daily food for up to six months. The boxes may include fruits and vegetables, meat and other proteins, dairy, whole grains, cooking oils, spices and seeds or plants that produce food.
The Fruit & Vegetable benefit supplies fresh, frozen, canned or dried produce and fresh herbs for up to six months. Approved members will receive food either as a grocery box or as a restricted-use card for approved retailers, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
How to apply and who to call
Members who are in a coordinated care organization (CCO) should apply through their CCO. Open-card, or fee-for-service, members can fill out the HRSN Nutrition Request Form and email it to [email protected] or contact a care coordinator at 888-834-4304.
For questions about plan eligibility or to confirm whether you are in a CCO, OHP Client Services can be reached at 1-800-273-0557, as noted by Oregon Health News.
Expectations and limitations
CareOregon cautions that demand is likely to be high as the benefits start. Both benefits require authorization, and members cannot receive the Fruit & Vegetable and Pantry Stocking benefits at the same time.
The program is not intended to replace emergency food assistance. The Oregon Health Authority and partner organizations point people to other state resources if they need immediate help, according to CareOregon.
