Important Update About CareOregon Coverage at PMHW

Why this change is happening

CareOregon has changed its coverage and authorization requirements for psychiatric medication management services. Due to these changes, at PMHW services must be initiated and coordinated through psychotherapy.

These changes are driven by insurance contracts, not by your worthiness for care or our belief in your need for support.

What this means for patients

Starting February 9, 2026:

Psychiatric medication services

  • For new CareOregon patients, psychiatric services can no longer be accessed on their own.
  • You will first meet with a therapy provider for an intake and treatment planning session.
  • If medication management is clinically appropriate, your therapist will refer you to a psychiatric provider.

If you are already receiving medication management

  • You may continue your current care.
  • When your insurance authorization is up for renewal (typically every 6 months), CareOregon requires a brief check-in with a therapy provider to review your level of care.
  • This check-in does not mean you are restarting therapy unless you and your provider decide it would be helpful.

If you are currently in therapy

  • You may continue therapy as planned.
  • If medication support is needed, your therapist can help coordinate that care.

If you are currently in PMHW Intensive Outpatient Programs

  • There are no changes to coverage or access to IOP Programs or medication services while enrolled in IOP programs.

We know this may feel frustrating

We recognize that insurance changes can feel confusing, limiting, or discouraging. These updates reflect the boundaries of what CareOregon currently covers—not the importance of your care or your needs.

If you have questions about what this means for you, or if you’d like help understanding your options, our team is here to support you.