In a groundbreaking move, Community Action Team is helping local residents improve their health by fixing up their homes—and the best part? Their health insurance foots the bill. Through CAT’s Healthy Homes Program, crucial home repairs and modifications are being paid for by health insurance, something that’s practically unheard of.
This innovative program, in partnership with Oregon Health Plan, Columbia Pacific CCO, and Oregon State, recognizes that it’s far cheaper to prevent health problems than to treat them later. For anyone whose health condition may be caused by or worsened by their living environment, CAT steps in to make the necessary changes. This could mean anything from fixing a leaky roof that’s causing mold, to installing ramps and grab bars for seniors, or improving ventilation to help with respiratory issues.
What makes this program so revolutionary is that it tackles the root causes of health problems directly in the home.
From “Social Determinates of Health” by Dr. Cheryl Gaddis on the Rural Health Information Hub.
Instead of spending money on costly emergency room visits or long-term care for chronic conditions, health insurance is now covering the cost of making homes safer and healthier. This approach not only improves the quality of life for residents but also cuts down on overall healthcare costs by reducing the need for expensive medical treatments down the line.
If you have Oregon Health Plan coverage and think your home might be affecting your health, you may be eligible for the Healthy Homes Program. To learn more or to start an application, call us at 503-397-3511 or visit cat-team.org/healthyhomes
