Oregon Medicaid waiver guide
Learn how Oregon Medicaid waiver services work, which state agency to start with, how the application process usually begins, and where to search for home and community-based services.
Last reviewed July 2026. See something out of date? Use the “Suggest an edit” button to let us know.
Oregon's Office of Developmental Disabilities Services works through local Community Developmental Disabilities Programs (CDDPs) — one per county area — and, for adults, Support Services Brokerages. The structure that sets Oregon apart is the K Plan, formally the 1915(k) Community First Choice option. Because it is a Medicaid state plan benefit rather than a capped waiver, it delivers attendant services and supports without the slot limits waivers carry. Oregon also operates a set of waivers alongside it, with a refreshed slate effective July 1, 2026.
Search by state, city, or ZIP code to compare provider profiles, services, contact details, and verified status.
People eligible for I/DD services who need attendant services and supports — a state plan benefit, not a capped waiver
Adults needing supports beyond what the K Plan covers
Children with I/DD, including those with extraordinary needs
Behavioral, Medically Fragile, Medically Involved, and Children's Extraordinary Needs populations
Oregon assesses two separate eligibility routes. Intellectual disability requires significantly sub-average intellectual functioning (an IQ of 70 and under), significant impairment in adaptive behavior, and onset before age 18 — though people scoring 71 to 75 can still qualify if a licensed psychologist documents adaptive behavior impairment. Developmental disability means a severe mental or physical impairment that begins before age 22, originates in the brain, and causes substantial difficulty with daily living; autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy are included. Your local CDDP conducts the determination.
Significantly sub-average intellectual functioning, defined as an IQ of 70 and under, together with significant impairment in adaptive behavior such as communication, grooming, dressing, safety, and social skills, with onset before age 18.
People scoring 71 to 75 on IQ testing may still qualify if a licensed psychologist documents impairment in adaptive behavior. If a score just above 70 led to a denial, this is the route to pursue.
A severe mental or physical impairment that begins before age 22, originates in the brain, and causes substantial difficulty with daily living. Autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy are included.
Services are Medicaid-funded, and the K Plan is a Medicaid state plan benefit, so Medicaid eligibility runs alongside the I/DD determination.
Oregon's core in-home and attendant supports come through the K Plan — the 1915(k) Community First Choice option — which is a Medicaid state plan benefit rather than a capped waiver. That structure is why Oregon does not run the kind of multi-year waiting list common in other states for basic supports. Specific residential settings and specialty waiver services can still be capacity-limited.
Community Developmental Disabilities Programs are Oregon's entry point. Workers there help assemble documentation and guide you through eligibility. Application forms are available in English, Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese.
Open linkThe two routes have different thresholds — intellectual disability with onset before 18, or developmental disability with onset before 22. If an IQ score between 71 and 75 is the obstacle, ask about the licensed psychologist documentation route.
Open linkAdults can get service coordination either from their CDDP or from a Support Services Brokerage. This is a real choice about who coordinates your services — ask what each would look like before defaulting.
Your ISP is developed through a person-centered planning process and reflects your health and safety needs, interests, choices, and goals. Enrollment in K Plan or waiver services requires an ISP on a department-approved document.
The K Plan covers attendant services and supports as a state plan benefit; the waivers cover things beyond it, such as 24-hour residential care. Knowing which pays for which service explains a lot about what you are offered.
Open linkExact covered services depend on the waiver, assessed need, Medicaid rules, funding, and state program requirements. Confirm services, availability, and payment acceptance with the state, support coordinator, and provider.
Oregon's K Plan supports employing personal support workers you choose and direct, and adults can opt for a Support Services Brokerage where a personal agent helps you manage your own supports. Ask your services coordinator or personal agent how directing your own services works in practice.
Approved services are paid through Oregon's Medicaid program. Once eligible, there is generally little or no direct cost for covered services.
Because Community First Choice is a state plan benefit rather than a capped waiver, Oregon draws enhanced federal funds for it and does not ration it through slots the way waiver services are rationed. That is the main reason Oregon's access picture looks different from most states'.
In residential settings, services are covered but room and board generally is not — that is typically paid from the person's own income such as SSI.
Oregon's Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education programs serve young children, separately from ODDS services.
Intellectual disability requires onset before 18; developmental disability before 22. Make sure documentation establishing onset exists before the applicable birthday.
Children's services include family support, in-home supports with flexible provider options, foster and host family placements, and specialized programs for high medical or behavioral needs.
As an adult you can receive service coordination from your CDDP or from a Support Services Brokerage. Understand both before the transition, since it shapes how your supports are managed day to day.
If eligibility or a service is denied, reduced, or ended, you have the right to appeal within the deadline printed on your notice. To report suspected abuse or neglect, Oregon's statewide line is 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). Disability Rights Oregon is the state's protection and advocacy organization; it takes requests through an online intake form or by mail rather than a public intake phone line, and services are by appointment.
Protection & Advocacy organization for Oregon — intake by form or mail
Visit siteState I/DD agency
503-945-5811Visit siteYour local entry point for eligibility and services
Visit siteHow Oregon's waivers and Community First Choice fit together
Visit siteFree advocacy — intake by online form or mail, welcome@droregon.org
Visit siteOregon's statewide reporting line
1-855-503-7233Visit siteNot necessarily. Oregon's rule sets intellectual disability at an IQ of 70 and under, but people scoring 71 to 75 may still qualify if a licensed psychologist documents impairment in adaptive behavior. Ask your CDDP about that route specifically.
Not in the way most states do for core supports. Oregon's attendant and in-home services come through the K Plan — the 1915(k) Community First Choice option — which is a Medicaid state plan benefit rather than a slot-limited waiver. Specific residential and specialty waiver services can still be capacity-limited.
Both provide service coordination for adults. A Community Developmental Disabilities Program is the county-level office; a Support Services Brokerage assigns you a personal agent to help you direct your own supports. You choose, so ask what each would look like for you.
Intellectual disability requires onset before 18. Developmental disability — a severe impairment originating in the brain and causing substantial daily living difficulty, including autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy — uses before 22. People are sometimes assessed against the wrong one.
Through their online intake request form or by mail — they do not publish a general intake phone line, and services are by appointment only, with no walk-ins. To report abuse or neglect, call Oregon's statewide line at 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).
Oregon assesses two separate eligibility routes. Intellectual disability requires significantly sub-average intellectual functioning (an IQ of 70 and under), significant impairment in adaptive behavior, and onset before age 18 — though people scoring 71 to 75 can still qualify if a licensed psychologist documents adaptive behavior impairment. Developmental disability means a severe mental or physical impairment that begins before age 22, originates in the brain, and causes substantial difficulty with daily living; autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy are included. Your local CDDP conducts the determination.
contact your local cddp, establish id or dd eligibility, adults: choose a cddp or a support services brokerage, build your individual support plan, then enroll and choose providers. Start with Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services.
Covered services vary by waiver and assessed need, and commonly include in-home supports, respite, supported employment, day services, behavior support, residential supports. Confirm specifics with the state and provider.
Oregon's core in-home and attendant supports come through the K Plan — the 1915(k) Community First Choice option — which is a Medicaid state plan benefit rather than a capped waiver. That structure is why Oregon does not run the kind of multi-year waiting list common in other states for basic supports. Specific residential settings and specialty waiver services can still be capacity-limited.
Approved waiver services are generally covered by Medicaid at little or no direct cost once enrolled, though some enrollees may owe a monthly patient responsibility based on income.
Oregon's eligibility criteria for intellectual disability and developmental disability, and how to apply through a CDDP.
OregonHow Community First Choice and Oregon's waivers work together, including the waiver slate effective July 1, 2026.
OregonFind the CDDP serving your area.
OregonFree protection and advocacy services — request help by form or mail.
OregonFind waiver providers and services in Oregon on Waiverly.
Looking for another state? Browse the full resource map