Medicaid transition raises access concerns for Lane County residents

Oregon Health Authority hosted a series of member listening sessions this week as PacificSource Community Solutions prepares to leave Lane County and Trillium Community Health Plan prepares to assume coverage for about 92,000 Medicaid members. Officials described an automatic transition process that will move most members after January 31, 2026, and explained continuity of care protections that vary by service type.

At a December 6 meeting in Cottage Grove members expressed concern about access to behavioral health clinicians and the availability of language services for people with limited English proficiency. Trillium representatives reported that about 84 percent of behavioral health providers who were in PacificSource's network are already included in Trillium's network and said work is underway to address remaining gaps in access. The state outlined continuity of care protections that allow 30 days of continued coverage for most physical and dental care and 60 days for behavioral health services, with longer protections for members who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.

The transition carries implications for public health and for equity in Lane County. Behavioral health services are time sensitive, and interruptions can worsen conditions for people managing serious mental health and substance use disorders. Language access barriers compound those risks for immigrant and refugee communities, older adults, and others who rely on interpreters and culturally responsive care. The scale of the transfer means that thousands of households will need clear information to avoid misplaced appointments, medication lapses, or billing confusion.

Policy decisions about continuity windows and provider network adequacy will shape how smoothly members navigate the change. Community health clinics, behavioral health providers, and advocacy groups will play a central role in helping patients confirm their providers and understand coverage timelines. The Oregon Health Authority also announced remaining in person member sessions in Florence and Eugene along with virtual options to give residents more opportunities to ask questions and report problems.

For Lane County residents, the coming months are a critical period to monitor care transitions, confirm provider participation, and seek assistance if services are interrupted. The shift spotlights persistent systemic challenges in coordinating behavioral health services and ensuring equitable language access as the state reorganizes Medicaid managed care.