Federal stimulus help with health insurance costs

The federal government's economic stimulus package approved Feb. 17, 2009, includes money to provide short-term help paying health insurance costs for some Oregonians who recently lost jobs or who will lose jobs in coming months.

If you lost your job after Aug. 31, 2008, you could be eligible to cut your health insurance costs 65 percent. Please see the overview below for more information. If you have questions after you read this information, the Oregon Insurance Division's consumer advocates are here to help!

Call 503-947-7984 or toll-free at 1-888-877-4894.

• Overview: Learn how this program works: who qualifies for assistance, how long it lasts and how to sign up.
• Subsidy flyer for employees: Basic information on the subsidy for employees.
  • In Spanish
  • In Russian
• Subsidy flyer for employers: Basic information on the subsidy for employers.
• Ways to keep health insurance flyer: Not everyone qualifies for the federal subsidies. This flyer lists other insurance options for people.
• Questions and Answers for health insurers and producers: How the subsidy works for employees of small businesses (fewer than 20 employees).
• Fact sheet on House Bill 2433: This is the law changing state continuation so former employees of small businesses can get nine months of subsidy.

News releases:

• 12/23/09: Extended health insurance subsidy will help unemployed Oregonians
• 04/28/09: Governor Kulongoski Signs Legislation to Help Oregonians Pay for Health Care Premiums