Oregon standardizes provider credentialing and broadens who can supervise trainees

The Oregon Health Authority adopts one credentialing process and selects an electronic system for behavioral health providers. Behavioral health providers include authorized individuals and organizational providers; coordinated care organizations must follow the requirements. Coordinated care organizations must use the selected system and may not require other credentialing procedures. The authority must select the system and finish its rules by June 30, 2027. Coordinated care organizations must begin using the system by July 1, 2027.

The Oregon Health Authority works to reduce unnecessary administrative work for behavioral health providers who serve people receiving medical assistance. This applies to behavioral health providers serving people who receive medical assistance. The authority must seek provider suggestions and any approval needed from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Every two years, the authority reports to the Governor and related legislative committees on its efforts, suggestions it has put into practice, and the status of any federal approval request.

Oregon's social work and counseling licensing boards adopt rules allowing additional licensed professionals to supervise people seeking specified credentials. The rules cover supervision required for authorization to practice regulated social work or for a license or registration to practice marriage and family therapy or professional counseling. For social work authorization, the rules must allow licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors to supervise. For counseling and marriage and family therapy credentials, they must allow licensed psychologists and clinical social workers to supervise. These rules take effect January 1, 2027. The boards may take steps beforehand to prepare.