As Oregon ramps up its investment in school-based Medicaid, more school districts are asking: Is this worth the time and effort? With new support from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA), now is the right moment to revisit what’s possible—and what’s simply misunderstood—about Oregon School-Based Medicaid.
Below, we’ll break down the most common myths holding districts back, and share why they no longer apply in today’s Medicaid environment.
Reality: With the right support and tools, Medicaid billing in Oregon schools is manageable—even for first-time participants.
Many education administrators worry that getting started with Oregon’s Medicaid program means diving into an overwhelming bureaucracy. But Oregon has made significant strides in simplifying the process, and new training and vendor partnerships make it easier than ever to launch a compliant, sustainable program.
Key facts about Oregon School-Based Medicaid implementation:
For example, platforms like Relay support enrollment, NPI setup, cost reporting, and data workflows, tailored to Oregon’s unique Medicaid billing structure.
Reality: Most Oregon school districts already log services, and modern Medicaid platforms automate the rest.
Logging services for Medicaid reimbursement doesn’t require duplicating work. In fact, the vast majority of Oregon school providers already use systems that capture the required data—often within IEP platforms or Student Information Systems (SIS).
Why service logging is easier than you think:
Bottom line: Medicaid billing in Oregon schools fits into your existing workflow—not the other way around.
Reality: Even a single provider can generate thousands in reimbursement under Oregon’s Medicaid model.
Some districts hesitate to participate in Oregon School-Based Medicaid because they think they lack the scale to benefit financially. But the data tells a different story.
Starting small is not only possible—it’s encouraged. You can begin with just one service, track your results, and expand from there.
The state’s 2025–2027 School-Based Medicaid Pilot Program offers unprecedented support for new and existing participants. Oregon is actively recruiting ESDs and school districts to join this cohort and build scalable Medicaid programs.
Pilot benefits include:
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand access to health services and offset the cost of delivering them—particularly in under-resourced communities.
For districts ready to begin, here’s a simplified path to launching an Oregon-compliant Medicaid billing program:
Even modest programs can lay the foundation for long-term Medicaid success.
The state of Oregon is clear in its commitment to expanding Medicaid reimbursement for school-based services. By breaking down myths, simplifying systems, and offering real-time support, the ODE and OHA are making it easier for districts to participate.
Whether you’re a rural school with one nurse or an urban district with multiple providers, Oregon School-Based Medicaid is a viable way to fund critical student services—today and in the years ahead.
Interested in launching or scaling your Oregon school Medicaid billing program?
We can help you build your plan, select tools, and connect with OHA/ODE contacts to get started. Let us know how we can support your journey.
Interested in finding out how to start incorporating these services into your district Medicaid program? Reach out to Relay—your School Medicaid Billing Software specialists.