Overview
Health Share of Oregon is a nonprofit founded in 2012 to coordinate the provision of medical, dental, and behavioral health care for Medicaid beneficiaries in a tricounty region encompassing Portland. As one of 16 coordinated care organizations designated by the state to oversee and improve the delivery of these services for a geographically defined population, it receives a global budget. It distributes per-capita payments to health plans—some of which are integrated delivery systems—and county-run mental health agencies that have agreed to accept risk for providing or ensuring access to defined services. These risk-bearing entities—all founders of Health Share—serve on its governing board, along with representatives of community-based organizations and social service agencies committed to this population. Health Share brings these stakeholders together to improve care for high-need, high-cost patients; achieve efficiencies by centralizing certain administrative and enrollment functions; and create accountability for performance.