About Us

Our organizing efforts began in response to a letter sent out by CareOregon in December of 2024 stating that board registered associate providers not employed by groups with a contract or Certificate of Approval (COA)—or those who work in private practice—would no longer be able to bill CareOregon plans after July 31st, 2025. Soon after this announcement, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) also announced its intention to begin a rulemaking process that would limit the settings where registered associates and interns can bill Medicaid, proposing that they must work at COA sites to provide mental health care to Oregonians on Medicaid. This will severely restrict the settings in which associate providers (approx 2,100 in Oregon) can bill Medicaid plans for mental health care. 

As a result, a group of associates, licensed providers, and supervisors came together and formed Oregon Therapists for Equity. We represent various organizations, practices, and mental health settings. We estimate that the decision made by CareOregon will result in at least 5,000 Oregonians losing access to their chosen therapist, with thousands more left with fewer choices when looking to establish care with a new therapist. The state of Oregon is in an ongoing mental health crisis and it is essential that care is not disrupted and limited by bureaucratic policy change.