MedicaidAdministrativeHigh impact
Rulemaking for Board-Registered Behavioral Health Associates
Oregon Health Plan·OR · Psychiatry·Provider
Effective date
Oct 1, 2026
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Starting October 1, 2026, board-registered behavioral health associates in Oregon must work for organizations with a Certificate of Approval (COA) from OHA to bill Medicaid. Associates working independently will no longer be able to bill Medicaid directly unless they work in HRSA clinics or school settings.
Action Required
By October 1, 2026: Behavioral health associates currently billing Medicaid independently must either join a COA-holding organization or obtain a COA for their practice. Contact LCApplications@oha.oregon.gov to apply for COA. Update billing systems to verify COA status before submitting Medicaid claims for behavioral health associates. Claims from non-COA associates will be denied after the effective date.