Medicare Help in Oregon: Programs That Pay for Care (2026)

Quick Answer

Oregon Medicare beneficiaries have access to a set of state programs that most people never hear about: a free counseling service called SHIBA that cannot sell you anything, a consumer-directed home care program that lets most family members be paid caregivers, and Medicare Savings Programs with no asset limits that can pay your $185/month Part B premium in full. With roughly 54% of Oregon's Medicare beneficiaries now in Medicare Advantage and a competitive market of six or more major carriers, the number of choices can feel overwhelming. This guide covers what makes Oregon different - its specific programs, contacts, and eligibility rules - so you know exactly where to start.

Many people in Oregon find out about these programs too late: after months of paying premiums that a savings program would have covered, or after a family member spent weeks providing unpaid care that could have been compensated. You are not alone in that. The programs exist and work. The harder part is simply knowing to ask for them.

What Is SHIBA and How Can It Help You Navigate Medicare in Oregon?

If you have ever stared at a Medicare Explanation of Benefits form and felt completely lost, you are not alone.

That is exactly why Oregon created its own free counseling program: SHIBA, the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program. Run by the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), SHIBA is Oregon's connection to the federally funded SHIP network, and it is one of the most useful starting points in the state for anyone dealing with Medicare questions, as of September 2026.

SHIBA counselors are trained volunteers. They do not receive commissions, and they have nothing to sell you. That distinction matters enormously when you are trying to get honest advice about Medicare plan options. As one commenter noted in a popular Medicare forum, talking to a SHIP counselor "over a broker" is the better move precisely because they "don't get commissions and don't even get paid." Oregon's SHIBA program lives up to that standard.

Here is what SHIBA counselors can help with specifically:

• Comparing Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare plans during Annual Enrollment (October 15 to December 7)
• Reviewing Medigap options side by side so you can compare on price, not just features
• Checking whether you qualify for Extra Help, which dramatically lowers prescription drug costs
• Explaining your rights and options after a Medicare claim denial or billing error
• Identifying Oregon-specific programs that can reduce your monthly costs, including the Medicare Savings Programs
• Screening for the Employed Persons with Disabilities (EPD) Medicaid buy-in for working disabled Oregonians

To reach SHIBA, call 1-800-722-4134 (toll-free statewide). You can request an in-person appointment through a local community partner or speak with a counselor by phone. Oregon law prohibits SHIBA counselors from selling insurance, which is a protection you will not get from most other sources of Medicare advice.

From what I have seen working with Medicare beneficiaries, many people call SHIBA about one question and discover two or three programs they did not know existed. One call can open the door to savings that cut monthly premiums to zero or dramatically reduce drug costs. It is often the single most important first step for any Oregon resident new to Medicare or dealing with a coverage problem.

Can a Family Member Get Paid to Care for You Through Oregon's Home Care Program?

One of the most common questions I hear from Oregon families is whether a son, daughter, or close relative can receive payment for care they are already providing at home.

In many cases, the answer is yes, if the person needing care qualifies for Medicaid-funded home care through Oregon's consumer-directed model.

Oregon's In-Home Care program, administered through the Oregon Home Care Commission (OHCC), allows eligible Medicaid clients to choose, hire, train, and supervise their own personal support workers. Unlike care arranged through a home care agency, the client is effectively the employer in this model. You decide who comes into your home, what their schedule looks like, and how they learn your specific needs and routines.

Most family members can serve as a paid personal support worker under this program. There are some situations where this does not apply - spouses generally cannot be paid caregivers in this model - but adult children, siblings, and other relatives can often qualify. The caregiver must register with the OHCC, complete a basic orientation, and pass a background check before starting paid work.

Personal support workers in Oregon are represented by SEIU Local 503 and receive wages and benefits negotiated through collective bargaining. This includes paid sick leave and access to healthcare coverage through the OHCC Worker Benefits program. Many families are genuinely surprised to learn that their caregiver relative not only earns an hourly wage but also receives benefits that many agency home care workers in other states do not get.

To access Oregon's consumer-directed program, the process begins with qualifying for Oregon Health Plan (OHP). After that, you or your family requests a needs assessment through Oregon's Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) program or your local Area Agency on Aging. A case manager determines how many authorized care hours you receive and walks through your rights as a self-directing client. That assessment appointment is the key first step, so ask for it by name when you call APD or your local AAA.

Who Qualifies for Oregon Health Plan in 2026?

In short: Who Qualifies for Oregon Health Plan in 2026?: Oregon Health Plan (OHP) is Oregon's Medicaid program, administered by the Oregon Health Authority.

Oregon Health Plan (OHP) is Oregon's Medicaid program, administered by the Oregon Health Authority. For Medicare beneficiaries, OHP matters because it can cover costs that Medicare leaves behind, including long-term home care, some dental services, and drugs not fully covered under Medicare Part D. The two programs working together can substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs for people who qualify for both.

OHP has several eligibility pathways depending on age, disability status, and income. For adults 65 and older, or those with disabilities on Medicare, the two most relevant are:

• Oregon Supplemental Income Program Medical (OSIPM) - Oregon's Medicaid pathway for elderly and disabled individuals. Income and asset considerations apply; the OSIPM program is the gateway to long-term services including home care.
• Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) - These federal programs help pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays. Oregon administers four levels: QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary), SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary), QI (Qualifying Individual), and QDWI (Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals).

Here is something many Oregon residents do not know: Oregon has no asset limits for Medicare Savings Programs. That means your savings balance, your car, and most property generally do not disqualify you from MSP eligibility. Only income is evaluated for these programs. This is a meaningful difference from many other states that still use asset tests to screen people out.

For 2026, the QMB income threshold is approximately $1,276 per month for an individual and $1,724 per month for a couple. SLMB and QI have higher income ceilings. If your income falls within the SLMB or QI range, Oregon will pay your Medicare Part B premium of $185 per month, which adds up to $2,220 per year back in your pocket. Qualifying for any MSP also automatically enrolls you in Extra Help for prescription drug costs, reducing most drug copays to a few dollars per prescription.

To apply, use Oregon's ONE system at one.oregon.gov, call 1-800-699-9075, or visit a local DHS Self-Sufficiency Programs office. If you are denied full OHP, ask specifically about Medicare Savings Programs. They have different eligibility rules, and many people who do not qualify for full Medicaid still qualify for a savings program that covers their Part B premium or more.

What Is Oregon's K-Plan and How Does It Fund Home Care?

Oregon's K-Plan is a Medicaid 1115 demonstration waiver that allows the state to use federal Medicaid dollars in flexible ways, specifically to fund home and community-based services (HCBS).

The core purpose is practical: help people live at home or in community settings instead of nursing facilities, as long as that is what they want and a safe plan can be arranged.

Under the K-Plan, Oregon can fund services that standard Medicaid would not otherwise cover, including:

• Personal care assistance at home (bathing, dressing, meal preparation, mobility)
• Adult day health services for people who need structured supervision and health monitoring
• Assisted living and residential care facility placement as alternatives to nursing homes
• Home-delivered meals in qualifying circumstances
• Respite care for unpaid family caregivers who need a break
• Environmental modifications to make your home safer (grab bars, ramps, widened doorways)

Oregon also has a specific Medicaid eligibility pathway for people who need home and community-based services: the 300% Federal Poverty Level special income group. This pathway allows people with higher incomes than standard Medicaid would permit to still qualify for HCBS services, as long as they meet functional criteria. If you or a family member has been told your income is too high for OHP, ask specifically about this pathway.

To access K-Plan services, you first qualify for OHP and then complete a functional needs assessment through Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) or your local Area Agency on Aging. The assessment looks at what you can and cannot do independently. From there, an authorized care plan is developed with your case manager.

Oregon has historically prioritized home-based care over nursing home placement. That commitment shows in the K-Plan structure. If you are feeling pressure to move to a facility but you want to stay home, the K-Plan is often the program that makes it possible. Ask your APD case manager specifically whether you qualify for expedited review if the need is urgent - they have some discretion to accelerate the process.

What Prescription Drug Help Is Available to Oregon Medicare Beneficiaries?

Prescription drug costs are one of the top concerns I hear from Medicare beneficiaries in Oregon.

The good news is that several programs can be layered together to reduce or eliminate your out-of-pocket drug costs, and many Oregon residents are not using all of the options available to them.

Here are the main drug assistance programs Oregon Medicare beneficiaries can access:

• Medicare Part D - Standard federal prescription drug coverage, available as a standalone plan if you have Original Medicare or bundled into a Medicare Advantage plan. Required to avoid a late enrollment penalty.
• Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) - A federal program that pays most of your Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays. If your income is at or below about 150% of the federal poverty level and you live in Oregon, you may qualify. Qualifying for any Oregon Medicare Savings Program automatically enrolls you in Extra Help at the full subsidy level, reducing most drug copays to a few dollars per fill.
• Oregon Health Plan drug coverage - If you qualify for full OHP alongside Medicare, Medicaid becomes your secondary payer and can cover drug costs that Part D leaves behind.
• Pharmaceutical manufacturer assistance programs - For brand-name medications not well covered by your plan, the manufacturer may offer a patient assistance or copay reduction program. SHIBA counselors can help you identify which programs apply to your specific medications.

Oregon does not currently operate a standalone state pharmaceutical assistance program like some other states. However, the combination of Extra Help, OHP, and manufacturer assistance can be very effective when coordinated properly. The key is applying in the right order and knowing which programs work together.

If you are paying more than $20 per month out of pocket for any single medication, that is a signal to review your current plan. Formularies change each January, and a drug that was affordable last year may be on a higher cost-sharing tier now. Call SHIBA at 1-800-722-4134 for a free plan review before the next Annual Enrollment period.

How Does Oregon Protect Medigap Buyers?

Medigap, also called Medicare Supplement Insurance, fills in the cost-sharing gaps that Original Medicare leaves behind.

Understanding Oregon's rules around Medigap helps you avoid situations where you pay far more than you need to, or miss a window where you had guaranteed access to coverage.

Oregon follows federal Medigap rules, which include these important protections:

• Guaranteed issue at 65 - Every Oregonian who enrolls in Medicare Part B at or after age 65 gets a six-month open enrollment window to buy any Medigap plan without medical underwriting. Insurers cannot reject you or charge you more based on health history during this window. This is the best time to buy Medigap, and it only happens once.
• Guaranteed issue in qualifying situations - If you lose other coverage involuntarily (for example, your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your service area or your employer coverage ends), Oregon insurers must sell you a Medigap plan without medical underwriting, regardless of your health status.
• Standardized plans - Oregon sells the same lettered Medigap plans available nationwide (A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N). Because benefits are identical for the same plan letter regardless of which insurer sells it, you can compare insurers purely on price.

In Oregon, Plan G is currently the most popular choice for new Medicare enrollees because it covers the Part A deductible of $1,676 per benefit period in 2026, the Part B coinsurance, and most other out-of-pocket costs beyond the Part B deductible. Monthly premiums for identical Plan G coverage can vary by $80 or more per month between Oregon insurers, which makes shopping around genuinely worth your time.

If you are already past your open enrollment window and want to switch Medigap plans, Oregon insurers can require medical underwriting, meaning they can decline coverage or charge higher rates based on your health history. This is why I always encourage people approaching 65 to compare Medigap options carefully before that window closes. Call SHIBA at 1-800-722-4134 for a free, no-pressure comparison of plans in your area.

What Medicare Advantage Plans Are Available in Oregon for 2026?

Oregon has one of the more competitive Medicare Advantage markets in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in the Portland metro area and the Willamette Valley.

In 2026, roughly 54% of Oregon's Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage rather than Original Medicare. If you live in a more rural county, plan options may be more limited, but there are typically still one or two plans available even in less populated areas of the state.

Major carriers offering Medicare Advantage plans in Oregon include:

• UnitedHealthcare - The largest Medicare Advantage insurer in Oregon, holding approximately 27% of the state's Medicare Advantage members. Offers a range of HMO and PPO plan designs.
• Kaiser Permanente - Well-established integrated HMO model with strong presence in Portland and Salem. Members see Kaiser providers and use Kaiser facilities.
• Providence Health Plan - Catholic health system with network concentration in western Oregon and significant Medicare Advantage enrollment.
• Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon - PPO options with broader provider networks across the state.
• Moda Health - Oregon-based insurer with strong local provider relationships, particularly in the Portland and Medford markets.
• Aetna - National carrier with Oregon-specific Medicare Advantage plans; Understood Care accepts Aetna Medicare Advantage in Oregon.

Many Oregon Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 offer $0 monthly premiums, though you still pay the standard Medicare Part B premium of $185 per month. Some plans include supplemental dental, vision, and hearing benefits that Original Medicare does not cover. Certain plans also carry supplemental benefits like over-the-counter allowances or transportation assistance for qualifying members.

Oregon also has PACE programs (Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) available in the Portland metro area. PACE is designed for people age 55 and older who qualify for nursing home level care but want to remain at home in the community. It covers both Medicare and Medicaid services in one integrated program, which can significantly simplify coordination for people with complex needs.

Before enrolling in any Medicare Advantage plan, verify that your current doctors and specialists are in-network. HMO plans require you to use network providers for most non-emergency services. If an established care relationship matters to you, confirm the network status before switching. A SHIBA counselor can run this check for you at no cost.

When Should You Call Oregon's Long-Term Care Ombudsman?

In short: When Should You Call Oregon's Long-Term Care Ombudsman?: If you or a family member lives in a nursing home, assisted living facility, residential care home, or.

If you or a family member lives in a nursing home, assisted living facility, residential care home, or adult foster home in Oregon, you have a right to an advocate who works specifically for residents, not for facilities. The Oregon Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is an independent state program that investigates concerns about care quality, resident rights, and facility conditions, and it does not answer to the facilities it oversees.

Call the ombudsman program when:

• A resident's condition is changing and staff are not responding or explaining why
• A facility is threatening discharge or eviction without proper advance notice
• You suspect neglect, abuse, or financial exploitation of a resident
• Resident rights are being ignored, including the right to privacy, to receive visitors, or to keep personal belongings
• A care plan is not being followed as written
• Medication errors have occurred or medication is being withheld
• A resident is being isolated or has restricted access to a phone or communication

The statewide ombudsman line is 1-800-522-2602. Calls are confidential, and you do not need to identify yourself to report a concern. Ombudsmen visit facilities regularly on a scheduled and unscheduled basis and are independent from the facility licensing and regulatory functions of state government.

Oregon's ombudsman program covers nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, residential care facilities, and adult foster homes licensed by the state. This is a broader scope than in some states, which only cover nursing homes. If you are unsure whether a particular setting is covered, call the ombudsman office and they will tell you.

Families often wait too long to call because they worry about retaliation against their loved one. Oregon law specifically prohibits retaliation against residents who file complaints, and the ombudsman can conduct follow-up visits to confirm this is not occurring. If something feels wrong, please do not let that fear stop you from making the call.

How Do Area Agencies on Aging in Oregon Connect You to Free Services?

In short: How Do Area Agencies on Aging in Oregon Connect You to Free Services?: Oregon has 16 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) covering every county in the.

Oregon has 16 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) covering every county in the state. These agencies are part of the national network established under the federal Older Americans Act, and they coordinate a wide range of free or low-cost services for adults age 60 and older, as well as for adults with disabilities who receive Oregon Health Plan.

Services coordinated through Oregon AAAs typically include:

• Home-delivered meals and congregate dining programs (often called "Meals on Wheels")
• Transportation assistance to medical appointments, pharmacies, and essential errands
• Family caregiver support, including respite programs so unpaid caregivers can rest
• Options counseling to help you think through long-term care decisions before a crisis
• Legal assistance and benefits enrollment support
• Case management and care coordination for people with complex needs
• Adult protective services referrals for suspected abuse or neglect
• Connections to tribal aging programs for Native community members

Oregon's AAAs operate under the Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) program within Oregon Department of Human Services. APD is the single state agency responsible for both Medicaid-funded long-term services and the Older Americans Act services coordinated through AAAs. To find your local AAA, call the national Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116, visit eldercare.acl.gov, or contact Oregon APD directly at 503-945-6400.

One service worth knowing about specifically is Options Counseling, available through Oregon AAAs at no charge. This is a structured, one-on-one conversation with a trained counselor who helps you think through your long-term care choices honestly: what services are actually available in your area, what your budget allows, and what aligns with what you actually want for your life. It is not a sales pitch. It is one of the most useful conversations you can have before a health or care crisis forces the decisions for you.

Many Oregon AAAs also host or partner closely with SHIBA counselors. Your local AAA may be the right single starting point if you need both Medicare counseling and a connection to home-based services at the same time.

How Understood Care Helps Oregon Medicare Beneficiaries Navigate the System

Oregon's state programs are genuinely useful. SHIBA counselors, OHP, the K-Plan, the ombudsman - these exist to help you, and they can make a real difference.

But navigating all of them alongside Medicare, Part D, Medigap, and any employer or retiree coverage you carry is a lot to manage at once. Most people are dealing with this during a health crisis, a sudden change in function, or in the days after a hospital stay, none of which are ideal moments to also become a healthcare policy expert.

That is the gap that patient advocacy fills. At Understood Care, our team helps Medicare beneficiaries figure out what they qualify for, reviews coverage decisions that seem wrong, and makes sure nothing falls through the cracks during care transitions. Our services are covered by Medicare, so you are not paying out of pocket for help understanding what you are already entitled to.

Here is what we typically help Oregon residents with:

• Reviewing Medicare Explanation of Benefits statements for billing errors or coding issues
• Preparing appeals for denied claims and walking you through each level of the process
• Identifying OHP and Medicare Savings Programs you may qualify for but have not yet applied for
• Coordinating communication between your providers, insurers, and facilities so you are not stuck in the middle
• Helping family caregivers understand their options for getting paid through Oregon's consumer-directed programs
• Supporting care transitions from hospital to home, or from home to a care facility

About 62% of Oregon's Medicare Advantage members are enrolled with an insurer Understood Care accepts, including UnitedHealthcare (which covers 27% of Oregon's Medicare Advantage members) and Aetna. We also work with Original Medicare beneficiaries throughout Oregon. Coverage is verified individually before your first appointment.

Call us at 646-904-4027 to talk through your situation with a real person. You do not have to navigate Oregon's system alone, and you should not have to.

What to Watch in Oregon Medicare Over the Next Two Years

A few developments are worth tracking if you or someone you care for relies on Oregon's Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Medicare Advantage penetration is still climbing. Oregon already has roughly 54% of beneficiaries enrolled in MA plans, and that share is likely to keep growing as more carriers enter the state's markets. That matters because MA rules, prior authorization requirements, and network restrictions vary significantly by plan. If your preferred provider is in-network today, verify it annually during open enrollment (October 15 to December 7).

Oregon's Medicaid "unwinding" process is ongoing. After the pandemic-era continuous enrollment protections ended, Oregon has been redetermining eligibility for Oregon Health Plan members. If you or a family member is enrolled in OHP and has not received a renewal packet, contact OHP at 1-800-699-9075 to confirm your mailing address is current. Missing a renewal notice can interrupt coverage unintentionally.

Consumer-directed care is a state policy priority. Oregon has consistently expanded the OHCC model and the K-Plan. Future legislative sessions may broaden which family members qualify as paid caregivers or increase funding for HCBS hours. Watch Oregon APD updates if you are currently on a waitlist or expecting expanded services.

Forecast for 12-24 months

Where Oregon Medicare cost help is headed

Three forecasts on how Medicare Advantage growth, savings-program eligibility, and cost caps will shape care access for Oregon beneficiaries.

21 sources analyzed3 community discussions1 industry publication1 newsletter1 blog post

A

Forecasts for Oregon Medicare cost assistance

Each forecast lists the real-world signal behind it so you can judge how much weight to give it.

Highest Confidence Call

95/100

Low confidence 12-24 months

Over the next 12-24 months, more Medicare beneficiaries and their families will seek outside help figuring out which cost-assistance programs -- Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid buy-in options, or Medicare Advantage -- actually apply to their income and situation, as eligibility rules stay fragmented across overlapping tiers.

Our Wildcard

65/100

Medium confidence 12-24 months

Despite Medicare Advantage's growth, a meaningful share of low-income and disabled Oregon beneficiaries will keep facing unaffordable gaps -- like the 20% Medicare coinsurance not covered by basic Medicare Savings Programs -- and will continue depending on Oregon's Medicaid buy-in and special income-level programs rather than shifting to Advantage plans.

63/100

Medium confidence 12-24 months

Over the next 12-24 months, Oregon will see two parallel paths for capping Medicare costs: continued growth in Medicare Advantage enrollment, which already caps out-of-pocket spending and adds vision, hearing, dental, and in-home caregiver benefits, alongside advocacy for the Medicare Cost Cap Act, which would cap Original Medicare (Parts A and B) out-of-pocket costs at $5,000 a year starting January 1, 2028.

Still Forming Oregon Senator Ron Wyden co-led introduction of the Medicare Cost Cap Act while national data shows more than 35 million people, over half of those eligible, already enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. Oregon beneficiaries describe losing full Medicaid coverage, being denied dual enrollment after qualifying for Medicare, and still owing hundreds of dollars a month for medications even with a Medicare Savings Program in place. Recurring public questions about which companies or advocates best help Medicare patients navigate their coverage, alongside detailed community discussion of how QMB, SLMB, and QI eligibility differs.

B

Evidence for and against these forecasts

Supporting and contrary sources are listed together so you can weigh both sides.

Low-income Oregon beneficiaries keep leaning on Medicaid, not Medicare Advantage, to close cost gaps 65

Supporting evidence

• Backing it: Can't afford Medigap but need coverage, what do I do? [Community / Forum]Original poster (u/thefacadearchive) is 28 years old, on SSDI, receiving $1,549/month. “You need a Medicare advantage plan. That will provider lower copays and give you the protection of an out of pocket max.”
• Need help points the same way. [Community / Forum]In Oregon, OP had full Medicaid coverage supplementing Medicare; in Washington, OP is enrolled in "Community Health Plan of Washington Dual Select," which pays Medicare premiums but leaves copays/deductibles unaffordable. “Medicaid offers programs to help people with Medicare pay their Medicare costs, such as their Medicare premiums." - Redd868, paraphrasing insurance policy…”
• Just switched over from Medicaid and I'm terrified supports this forecast. [Community / Forum]OP (u/Own-Card404) is on SSDI, nets $1,100/month after Part B premium is deducted. “I'm bonkers terrified about how crazy expensive everything is.”

Cost-cap legislation and Medicare Advantage growth compete to solve affordability 63

Supporting evidence

• Senators Introduce Bill to Cap Traditional Medicare Out-of-Pocket is the strongest public backing for this call. [Substack / Newsletter]The Medicare Cost Cap Act would establish a $5,000 annual out-of-pocket cap for traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) beneficiaries starting January 1, 2028. “Nobody should go broke to get the health care they need, especially seniors who have paid into Medicare with each paycheck during their working years.”
• Backing it: Medicare Advantage - AHIP. [Industry Publication]More than 35 million seniors and people with disabilities are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA), described as "more than 50% of people eligible to enroll.". “More than 35 million seniors and people with disabilities choose Medicare Advantage (MA) because it delivers better services, better access to care, and better…”

C

What could change this outlook

These scenarios show what would have to happen for the forecasts to shift.

Worth Pausing On

Of everything here, 95 rests on the firmest ground, while 65 is the call most likely to surprise us.

• If regulators or buyers move in the opposite direction, Independent help finding the right cost-assistance program stays in demand would weaken first.
• If the source mix shifts toward stronger contrary evidence, Low-income Oregon beneficiaries keep leaning on Medicaid, not Medicare Advantage, to close cost gaps could become the more durable forecast.

Methodology Each prediction goes through the same process: gather what our advocates are seeing on the ground, compare it against outside sources, then cut anything we cannot back up.

What to Do Next

In short: What to Do Next: If you take one step after reading this, make it this: call SHIBA at 1-800-722-4134 and ask a counselor to review your.

If you take one step after reading this, make it this: call SHIBA at 1-800-722-4134 and ask a counselor to review your current coverage and run a quick screen for Medicare Savings Program eligibility. It costs nothing, takes under an hour, and many Oregon residents discover they qualify for programs that eliminate hundreds of dollars in monthly costs. The no-asset-limit rule alone is enough reason to call, because most people assume their savings or property would disqualify them - and in Oregon, for these programs, it generally does not.

If you or a family member needs home care, contact Oregon APD or your local Area Agency on Aging to request a functional needs assessment. That assessment is the door to the K-Plan, consumer-directed care, and paid family caregiving. It does not commit you to anything; it just establishes what you qualify for.

And if something in a nursing home, assisted living, or residential care setting does not feel right, call the ombudsman at 1-800-522-2602. That call is confidential, and the ombudsman works for residents, not facilities.

Oregon has built programs worth using. We are here when you need someone to help you use them. Call Understood Care at 646-904-4027 to speak with our team. Our services are covered by Medicare.

Need help navigating Oregon's Medicare programs? Find a Medicare patient advocate near you, or call Understood Care directly at 646-904-4027. Our services are covered by Medicare.