[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6299011,"mediaKeyId","2499032-2ee2cba5370301741efbb688a36f77ef","parentId",2499032,"title","Lawmakers Hear Case for Task Force to Move Adult Residential Mental Health Services into CCO Model","audioSeconds",904,"startMs",2416000,"endMs",3320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2499032-2ee2cba5370301741efbb688a36f77ef&start=2416&end=3320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2499032-2ee2cba5370301741efbb688a36f77ef/thumbnail_2416000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6299011/Oregon/Lawmakers-Hear-Case-for-Task-Force-to-Move-Adult-Residential-Mental-Health-Services-into-CCO-Model","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299011-958116b909bc7b530442cfc607b72ff5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171119&Signature=HQVsX6ZYehnFnXxbrAIS9hK1r867sl9zNtX9qyUSLdN1zy8xIoxjbejctnTPk7Wezx63MUl3mxiZXTBQF8HpNvThdFGDY1WbXgNbc9xN3KlTj94KVESyqbFuMk6j35bAHM5ZNYgNGPB2ZU7ebof6zu381MtWMGKTn5J36EYbEKtIwxU0Bkj8T0g9oDEqABmy8nfQMMz9EcPRIbKQjSip2IBb77t~eapBa4VnOBpq-byckbbbb6~8snVFeZz9OR7VbWDuDuLAFol7VbKkKHMz8~jfEwtx0Q4~Ezer2dQR~N9lmycVZjMrU6IGCAjzrlsGjtYKMBqVzlCdcUhX2~uPTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon State Legislature","date","2025-03-04T15:00:00Z","article","Representative Michael (Mike) Nelson opened the public hearing on House Bill 2206 and described the bill as creating a task force to examine phasing adult residential mental‑health services into Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) operations. He told the committee the current carve‑out—under which OHA contracts directly for many residential placements—creates fragmented pathways for members who need round‑the‑clock care and can delay placements.

Supporters from CCOs and residential providers told the committee a task force would be a necessary venue for stakeholders to discuss complex operational, funding and legal questions before changing the system. Stefan Sheer of CareOregon said the current “carve‑out creates a gap in CCOs’ ability to administer the entire continuum of care,” and called for a phased, evidence‑based integration to allow alternative payment models and administrative simplification. Mindy Statlander, CEO of HealthShare of Oregon, emphasized the wide variation in community need and praised a phased approach, saying the task force could help determine “types and numbers of mental health treatment capacity needs that fit what each of our communities needs.”

Residential‑provider testimony underscored workforce, reimbursement and Medicaid‑waiver questions. Julie Ibrahim, CEO of New Narrative, told the committee the task force should assess “what is Federally allowable under the current Medicaid waiver and what is allowable under the current lawsuits regarding management of the state hospital.” Providers urged the committee to include provider, CCO, OHA and county representatives on any task force so technical questions about capacity, payment and legal constraints could be resolved.

Representative Britt McIntyre asked whether a CCO would be expected to provide outreach to people living unsheltered; Nelson said the task force would have to address operational questions such as outreach, enrollment lapses and placement availability. Members asked about existing studies on residential capacity; members noted past assessments and the 2,000–3,000‑bed shortfall often cited by stakeholders, and Nelson said the bill would enable a careful transition that would make CCOs responsible for their members’ residential care when feasible.

Why it matters: HB 2206 does not itself change procurement or payment rules but would create a stakeholder group to assess whether and how to move adult residential mental‑health benefits into CCOs—an integration that could change who coordinates and funds high‑acuity placements, affect access for people with severe mental illness and affect the state hospital’s workload.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee On Behavioral Health and Health Care 03/04/2025 3:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Mike Nelson asked the committee on March 4 to authorize a task force to study bringing adult residential mental‑health services under CCOs’ management, arguing the aim is better coordination and fewer delays for OHP members who need 24‑hour care.","taxTitle","Behavioral Health and Health Care, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",17444,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6299022,"Bill to Speed Provider Credentialing Advances as Providers Describe Months‑long Delays",886,1102000,1988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2499032-2ee2cba5370301741efbb688a36f77ef&start=1102&end=1988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2499032-2ee2cba5370301741efbb688a36f77ef/thumbnail_1102000.jpg","/articles/6299022/Oregon/Bill-to-Speed-Provider-Credentialing-Advances-as-Providers-Describe-Monthslong-Delays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299022-c2581ece008ab5d59851a26fffbf6fd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171119&Signature=SqK1UvPHLf7wwj1azrmmdPP68OiwUCTBZoKaQriMdzI7DuBozZ3GCLoJ9DbV70zxfWUdRRz-wfMhp25ELdnxLEP6DVPGW1Kctbj-ZAcBEThPT1VpgA2NHpE0PFITh9xrzbWKLwMrp~26GG0w2K2gfbFuxN5hHKyPHb23bSiqnA4rDJwMNcVd14pYPzmr4DyjRJ5THgHwCKE-TcU6jCBuvyW3zzrELHa8hOj4hprMN3mnbxhuEvoD70F1U4NFwLB5foIluIhYH52jb6n3voXh9F433pb8~40h0sP5b1ScnA2aTPVrleZdK1A3~eNWUc9KSaPNn-1S1P5aSlyWtbHO1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Nancy Nathanson opened a public hearing on House Bill 3229 on March 4, 2025, describing the bill as a targeted effort to reduce credentialing and empaneling delays that keep behavioral‑health and other providers from beginning work for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members.

Nathanson told the committee OHA currently averages about 52 days to process credentialing applications and has a backlog of roughly 4,300 applications. “When the missing information is supplied, the application starts over at the bottom of the queue,” she said, and the bill would require OHA to establish separate workflows for new applications versus simple administrative updates, staff up temporarily to reduce backlogs to a 14‑day queue and study automated tools to help prevent incomplete submissions.

Providers and provider‑network representatives said the delays are practical obstacles to delivering care. Evian Doherty, outpatient program director at Oregon Community Programs in Lane County, testified that his organization sometimes must choose between delaying assigning clients to a therapist until credentialing completes or providing services without reimbursement and risking tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid claims. He and other witnesses urged rules that let CCOs retroactively authorize payment to a completed application date so clinicians can be paid for services provided while empaneling continues.

Other witnesses reinforced the point. Anna Day, executive director of Oregon Community Programs and chair of the Oregon Alliance, said the bill would particularly help providers who work across multiple locations and with clients who change CCOs. Ellen Keithley, CEO of Options Counseling and Family Services (a CCO subcontractor), said her organization has chosen to provide services before paneling is complete because waiting would deny necessary care to clients and that “inefficient credentialing and empaneling processes create a harmful dichotomy: either essential care is delayed or providers are uncompensated.”

Committee members pressed for clarifications and amendments. Nathanson said the dash‑2 amendment narrows the bill to behavioral‑health providers and clarifies when the 30‑day empaneling timeline starts (with a complete application). A dash‑3 amendment would incorporate a technical change about National Provider Identifiers (NPIs), she said.

Why it matters: Testimony tied the policy change to recent legislative investments in behavioral health and described credentialing and empaneling delays as a bottleneck that prevents new hires and expanded services from reaching OHP members. HB 3229 would impose processing standards on OHA and CCOs, fund temporary staffing to clear backlogs and require CCOs to recognize the application submission date for retroactive reimbursement decisions.","Representative Nancy Nathanson told the committee on March 4 that HB 3229 is intended to speed credentialing and empaneling so behavioral‑health providers can begin reimbursable care more quickly.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6299027,"Supporters, Insurers Trade Views in Public Hearing on Naturopathic Medicine Bill",182,220000,402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2499032-2ee2cba5370301741efbb688a36f77ef&start=220&end=402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2499032-2ee2cba5370301741efbb688a36f77ef/thumbnail_220000.jpg","/articles/6299027/Oregon/Supporters-Insurers-Trade-Views-in-Public-Hearing-on-Naturopathic-Medicine-Bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299027-65413effa9eebba848cf2cc60311295f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171119&Signature=mvWCcKLv024g26sy8vp9xq~ZzdJifW22fyMoiq3ooOqs0gcOARr3QRvqTSB--cBALE2wi6JYE2Ue8FeeCUj2gcDfrCU6dv9geRPUFVRIaUYFG7~bVNh5HSY7TBpDUJlSidKqtlnZxUF6E9uJE~utqxIwXCqTjHK-fWT2LBH7LM4p0glIgppOlivX0u8~kYVBvUk1pXEKfa-L4A39FiPGm1ChSA87wbpEmAwC41CtobHfL0UcR3F7PD0dL8454eZfPBJmrcPSmi3sd2C1yU9JwpHt1BhbX2bpD8sNBdrTY~vQzrlmRSvlkGhBVIoL1BP3hnOaoqFDVoVZt0QQ5D6rbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Kevin Boyce reopened public testimony on House Bill 3439 on March 4, 2025, telling the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care that the hearing would take remarks from additional witnesses on naturopathic medicine. Representative Boyce described naturopathic medicine as blending ancient approaches with modern science and expressed strong support for the bill.

The bill drew personal testimony from patients and advocates. Ellen Levino, founder of Patient Advocates for Naturopathic Physicians, described her experience as a longtime patient: “Naturopaths go to medical school. They diagnose and treat patients with scientific and evidence based methods along with ordering labs, writing prescriptions, and so on.” Levino urged committee members to support HB 3439 on behalf of the 180 members of her group and to consider the patient-access and affordability concerns she described.

Opponents included insurance and provider representatives who warned the changes in HB 3439 would raise systemwide costs. Jessica Adamson, representing Providence Health & Services, said the bill “will add cost to the system without changing access or expanding care,” and urged the committee to be mindful of tradeoffs before changing reimbursement rules. Fawn Berry of Moda Health testified that Moda estimates the bill could increase premium rates by about 0.1 to 0.15 percent and cautioned the committee that higher cost-sharing could raise out-of-pocket coinsurance for patients.

Committee members asked witnesses about prior parity changes for physician assistants and nurse practitioners and the downstream effects on primary care practices. Witnesses and several legislators discussed how prior parity work required complementary rules and funding to sustain independent practices. Representative McIntyre asked about the impact of the 2013 decisions to expand parity for PAs and NPs; witnesses described mixed long-term effects, including continued financial pressure on independent primary care practices.

The committee closed the public hearing on HB 3439 after stakeholder comments and said the bill would be considered further in the work session. No formal vote or action on the bill occurred at the March 4 hearing.

Why it matters: HB 3439 would affect who counts as a primary care provider for reimbursement and network rules in the Oregon Health Plan. Supporters say it would reduce administrative barriers and preserve patient access to trusted providers; insurers and some provider groups worry about increased costs and the fiscal effects on primary care practices.","Supporters of House Bill 3439 told the House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee that naturopathic physicians provide prevention-focused primary care; insurers warned the change could raise costs without increasing access. Testimony came from patients, an advocacy group founder and representatives of Providence and Moda Health.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6299017,"Lawmakers Consider Centralized Credentialing Portal for High‑use Providers",152,3721000,3873000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2499032-2ee2cba5370301741efbb688a36f77ef&start=3721&end=3873","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2499032-2ee2cba5370301741efbb688a36f77ef/thumbnail_3721000.jpg","/articles/6299017/Oregon/Lawmakers-Consider-Centralized-Credentialing-Portal-for-Highuse-Providers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299017-48f1ef552a06a801215373aa4f110fc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171119&Signature=O1sKalzjXJCkRLfHyZF50x2hYDgRZ700UAqJBUhq5QE1TA8Joyg492ZXdhYQ4bUcELQVvuOWCXylULzkOMn1tB4nlbv0-7OFfCNOSnJKOEbwAwsc3LecfohMprMEikopgj~n7ui74InXMHOC8k0ghS0JywMyK7UvFkFDUh~HsTSBt7UTT5KX9YwzuQrpNWVMf37aoXC4hHpttvmLBGtJ1QWHzi1dOUWAWHiZsB8lynhpiCTneQ0qHPQKdSYwJL2pZ81~63rcIzGqS9kF5xflNZOWsfB~busStWn815d7QfgUr-aywTdzxbPEfOUgOMTfGO62owPbwaO5OnhCX-EdvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Josh Balick presented House Bill 2010 (listed as HB 20 10 in the hearing), proposing a centralized data portal and a task force to streamline credentialing for providers used by multiple CCOs and by fee‑for‑service programs. Balick gave a short illustration for the committee: medium‑sized specialty or residential providers (for example, residential treatment facilities) must currently submit separate credentialing materials to multiple CCOs; a single, shared submission point would let CCOs pull the information instead of repeatedly asking the provider.

Balick and other witnesses emphasized the proposal would not delegate credentialing decision‑making away from CCOs; rather the portal would be a shared data source to reduce administration for small providers who lack large credentialing staffs. Balick said the bill would create a task force to define operational details and to consider existing commercial products such as national credentialing services.

Committee members asked whether the concept resembled existing national portals used in other insurance markets and whether hospitals and larger systems would be included; Balick said he was agnostic about vendor choice and that the task force would weigh options including CAQH‑style services and other third‑party solutions. Witnesses supported a pilot or phased approach and urged avoiding building a custom state tool when ready‑made solutions exist.

Why it matters: Testimony tied this bill to concrete burdens that small behavioral‑health and residential providers face when they must complete separate credentialing for many CCOs. Sponsors and supporters said a shared portal and a task force could reduce administrative time, speed access to care and decrease the risk that providers treat patients while not yet empaneled.","Representative Josh Balick and provider witnesses discussed HB 2010, a bill that would create a shared credentialing data portal and a task force to standardize credentialing for behavioral health and high‑use residential providers. Supporters said a common portal would reduce duplicate submissions across CCOs and fee‑for‑service payers; sponsors","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers Hear Case for Task Force to Move Adult Residential Mental Health Services into CCO Model

Bill to Speed Provider Credentialing Advances as Providers Describe Months‑long Delays

Supporters, Insurers Trade Views in Public Hearing on Naturopathic Medicine Bill

Lawmakers Consider Centralized Credentialing Portal for High‑use Providers