Nearly 800 mental health patients in Malheur County, Ore., will lose access to their current behavioral health providers, effective Jan. 1, under a new Medicaid policy from Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, KTVB7 reported Dec. 4.
The policy change will require Oregon Medicaid recipients to seek routine outpatient mental health and substance use treatment only from in-network providers, according to a Nov. 12 letter from Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, which distributes Medicaid funding in the region. The directive affects four Ontario, Ore., providers in the county: Altruistic Recovery, Insight Counseling and Therapy, Four Rivers Recovery and Lifeways Recovery Center.
Only Lifeways is contracted with the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization, leaving a single local option for residents. Beginning in 2026, Medicaid patients starting new treatment must use in-network providers, unless an exception applies. Those already in treatment may complete their current care.
More than 50% of Malheur County residents are enrolled in Medicaid — the highest rate in the state — with approximately 8,000 people receiving benefits, according to the report. Altruistic and Insight each serve about 300 patients and Four Rivers services another 180.
Ann Ford, executive director of Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, said the change aims to create a more sustainable Medicaid structure amid rising healthcare costs and potential funding reductions.
