Oregon Health Plan Data Show Decrease In Emergency Care & Outpatient Mental Health; Increase In Primary Care

In November, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) released a preliminary report on progress made by the 16 Medicaid coordinated care organizations (CCOs) in meeting performance and cost savings targets during the first nine months of operation under the new Medicaid model for coordinated care. Key findings included decreases in both utilization and spending on emergency care, outpatient mental health, and hospitalization for mental health and chronic conditions (not behavioral), while primary care increased. Specifics by category – compared to the pre-CCO 2011 baseline – include: Decreased emergency department (ED) visits: ED visits decreased by nine percent ; and ED spending decreased 18 . . .