Oregon’s Health Insurance Lottery

Oregon’s Health Insurance Lottery in Individual Health Insurance

In an effort to reduce their number of uninsured residents, Oregon’s Department of Human Services is holding a “lottery” to enroll people in a state-sponsored health plan.

Qualifying uninsured residents can put their name on a reservation list for a chance to get coverage from the Oregon Health Plan’s Standard benefit plan, reported the Statesman Journal. 

The Standard plan currently insures 19,000 Oregon low-earning residents who do not qualify for Medicaid. Monthly premiums for the plan range from $9 to $20, depending on annual income.

Monday morning the phone lines opened up, and by noon, 3,000 people were on the reservation list. There are over 600,000 uninsured residents in Oregon and officials expect tens of thousands will put their names in.

“People generally want to know how soon they can get on the list and how soon they can get coverage,” said a worker taking reservations.

In March, a computer will randomly select residents on the reservation list. Those chosen will be mailed an application for the Standard benefit plan. But that only means you can apply — there’s no guarantee of coverage, state health officials warned.

The lottery will continue until 10,000 to 12,000 new residents are enrolled.

To qualify, Oregon residents must be U.S. citizens, be at least 19 years old, and earn a low income. The call centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Friday, February 29.

UPDATE from Super Health Care Tuesday:

Exit polls show that health care was more important to Democratic voters, reported the Associated Press. Senator Hillary Clinton earned more votes from those who said health care was their top issue than Senator Barack Obama.

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