Oregon Medical Insurance Pool

The Oregon Medical Insurance Pool (OMIP) provides health insurance coverage to people denied health insurance in the individual market. Individual health insurance is medically underwritten in Oregon, meaning insurance carriers evaluate a health statement applicants submit to determine their insurability. In Oregon, this statement is called the Oregon Standard Health Statement (OSHS).

People applying for individual insurance generally have to complete an OSHS. Insurance carriers use the OSHS to decide whether to accept or deny applicants for coverage.

Denied applicants are notified by the insurance carrier and are generally eligible for OMIP, where they can purchase health insurance coverage regardless of medical condition. OMIP premium rates may be as much as 25% higher than private market rates.

OMIP is not a subsidy program and is currently funded by subscriber premiums and insurance carrier assessments.