Providing HRSN services
Health-related social needs information for providers
What are health-related social needs?
Being healthy requires more than regular check-ups, like having access to non-medical things such as housing, healthy food, and air conditioning, to name a few. Certain OHP members may be eligible for extra non-medical services through a program called health-related social needs (HRSN). This name refers to barriers to health such as housing or food insecurity that may affect well-being.
HRSN service providers are community partner organizations that provide HRSN services.
Types of HRSN services
Climate-related supports | Housing supports | Nutrition supports | Outreach and engagement
Eligibility for HRSN services
OHP members may be eligible for some or all HRSN services if they:
- Have a high-risk medical condition
- Are in transition—for example, if they:
- Are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
- Were in a psychiatric facility, jail, or prison in the past year
- Were ever involved in child welfare services
- Are becoming eligible for Medicare in the next three months or enrolled in Medicare no more than nine months ago
- Are a youth with special healthcare needs (starting in January 2025)
Each HRSN service type has its own additional eligibility criteria.
(Please note that all OHP members can receive outreach and engagement.)
Climate-related supports
These include the provisioning of no-cost air conditioners, heaters, air-filtration devices, mini-refrigerators, and portable power supply units.
To qualify for climate-related supports, OHP members must:
- Have a health condition that makes climate events challenging or dangerous
- For air conditioners, a health condition that gets worse during hot weather
- For heaters, a health condition that gets worse when the member gets very cold
- For air filtration devices, a health condition that gets worse when air quality is poor
- For mini fridges, a health condition that requires temperature-controlled medication
- For portable power supply, a health condition that requires a powered medical device
- Live in a place with electricity and be able to use the device safely
- Be in transition (see transition examples)
Housing supports
These include help with rent and utilities for up to 6 months, storage fees, medically necessary home modifications like installing wheelchair ramps or grab bars, remediation services like pest control and heavy-duty cleaning, and related hotel costs.
To qualify for rent or utilities assistance, storage fees, and tenancy services, OHP members must:
- Be currently housed
- Need support staying housed
- Have a lease or written agreement with their landlord
- Have an income that is 30% or less than the median income in their area
- Lack sufficient resources or support networks to prevent homelessness
- Have a housing clinical risk factor
To qualify for home modifications and remediations, OHP members must:
- Have a housing clinical risk factor; the home modification or remediation service must prevent, treat, or ameliorate the clinical risk factor
- Be in transition (see transition examples)
Nutrition supports
(available January 2025)
These include Medically Tailored Meals and nutrition education.
Outreach and engagement
Outreach and engagement helps people find the resources they need. These include HRSN services and other medical and nonmedical benefits.
Do you have a patient who might be eligible for HRSN services? You can help them by applying for services on their behalf.
Become an HRSN service provider
HRSN service providers are community partner organizations that help OHP members get climate supports, housing supports, and nutrition supports. They deliver services or equipment and help with climate device repairs and replacements. Service providers also work with CCOs to perform outreach and engagement to help members access these HRSN services.
Qualifications
To become an HRSN service provider, you must:
- Be accessible to HRSN participants
- Demonstrate your ability and/or experience with effectively serving at least one Oregon Health Authority (OHA) priority population
- Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate, responsive, and trauma-informed service delivery
- Demonstrate a history of responsible financial administration via recent annual financial reports, an externally conducted audit, and/or other similar documentation
- Be able to directly meet member needs for the activities listed in the benefit service descriptions, or be able to connect members to the appropriate service provider or vendor
For more detailed information on HRSN service provider requirements, see the OHA’s HRSN Guidance Document (PDF).
Apply to become an HRSN service provider
Interested in becoming a PacificSource HRSN service provider? Fill out PacificSource’s Health-Related Social Needs Service Provider Credentialing Application (PDF). Then send the completed form to us by email at Credentialing@PacificSource.com, by fax at 541-225-3644, or by mail to:
PacificSource Health Plans
Credentialing Dept.
PO Box 7068
Springfield, OR
97475-0068
Conducting closed loop referrals
PacificSource is working with Connect Oregon–Unite Us to implement a simple closed loop referral process for HRSN benefits through our HRSN service providers. Connect Oregon will provide training and support for using their platform.
Providers who do not use the Unite Us platform may submit closed-loop referrals via the following options:
- Email: HealthRelatedServices@PacificSource.com
- Phone: 541-284-7964, TTY: 711. We accept all relay calls.
- Fax: 541-322-6435
Invoicing and fee schedules for HRSN services
PacificSource will reimburse HRSN service providers for services rendered, outreach, and engagement at the rates established by the OHA.
- Climate supports fee schedule (PDF)
- Housing supports fee schedule (PDF)
- Nutrition supports fee schedule (PDF) (effective January 1, 2025)
- Outreach and engagement services are billable for OHP members who are presumed eligible for HRSN services.
Providers must send invoices and supporting documentation to PacificSource for HRSN services rendered within 120 calendar days of delivering services or equipment. PacificSource will reimburse providers within 30 days of the invoice date. Invoices may be submitted:
- Electronically through Connect Oregon–Unite Us
- Email: HealthRelatedServices@PacificSource.com
Funding opportunities
The OHA distributes Community Capacity Building Funds to organizations interested in providing HRSN benefits. Funding can be spent on four categories:
- Technology
- Development of business or operational practices
- Workforce development
- Outreach, education, and convening
The next application window will open in 2025, and we'll share more information as soon as it's available.
Helpful resources
Learn more about HRSN services from these resources:
Questions?
For more information about becoming an HRSN service provider, send us an email at
HealthRelatedServices@PacificSource.com
or give us a call at
541-284-7964, TTY: 711
We accept all relay calls.