Expanding Access to Care: Oregon TeleMed’s Telehealth Program for Community Supported Shelters in Eugene
Expanding Access to Care: Oregon TeleMed’s Telehealth Program for Community Supported Shelters in Eugene
Access to healthcare should never depend on whether someone has stable housing. At Oregon TeleMed (OTM), we are committed to delivering compassionate, consistent, and accessible primary care to individuals experiencing homelessness in Eugene, Oregon.
Through our partnership with Community Supported Shelters (CSS), OTM provides secure telehealth services directly within shelter communities — removing barriers such as transportation, technology access, and scheduling challenges.
Community Supported Shelters operates transitional shelter villages in Eugene designed to provide safe, stable spaces for individuals who are unhoused. CSS communities offer:
Conestoga hut-style shelters
Sanitation and hygiene facilities
Case management support
Community accountability structures
Pathways toward housing stability
Residents are often navigating complex health needs alongside housing instability. Access to medical care is essential — yet historically difficult to obtain.
That’s where OTM’s telehealth program steps in.
Why Telehealth Is Critical for the Unhoused
Individuals experiencing homelessness face disproportionately high rates of:
Hypertension and cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Asthma and respiratory illness
Skin infections
Chronic pain
Mental health conditions
Substance use disorders
Without consistent primary care access, many rely on emergency departments for non-emergent issues. This leads to fragmented care and unnecessary strain on local healthcare systems.
Telehealth within CSS changes the model from reactive to proactive.
Instead of asking patients to travel across town, navigate bus systems, or manage smartphones they may not have, OTM brings healthcare directly into the shelter environment.
How the OTM Telehealth Program at CSS Works
OTM has established a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth station within CSS communities. The process is simple and structured:
1. On-Site Coordination
CSS staff help residents schedule appointments.
2. Secure Virtual Visit
Residents meet virtually with an Oregon-licensed medical provider through OTM’s encrypted telehealth platform.
3. Clinical Services Provided
OTM offers:
Acute illness evaluations
Chronic condition management
Prescription refills
Lab ordering and review
Care coordination
Referrals to in-person providers when needed
We are clear about scope:
We do not replace a resident’s primary care provider. We support and extend existing care.
We are not emergency services. Life-threatening conditions are referred to appropriate emergency care.
Our role is to stabilize health, improve continuity, and reduce avoidable ER utilization.
Covered by Oregon Health Plan (OHP)
A major barrier for many unhoused individuals is cost.
OTM accepts the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), ensuring eligible residents can access telehealth visits with no out-of-pocket expense. This alignment with Medicaid coverage removes financial hesitation and increases follow-through.
When healthcare is both accessible and covered, engagement improves dramatically.
Trauma-Informed, Confidential Care
Many individuals in shelter communities have experienced medical stigma or traumatic healthcare encounters. Trust must be rebuilt intentionally.
OTM providers practice:
Trauma-informed care
Non-judgmental communication
Confidential visit protocols
Respectful collaboration with case managers
Telehealth visits occur in private settings within CSS facilities to protect patient confidentiality. Medical information remains secure and compliant with HIPAA standards.
Confidentiality is not a feature — it is a requirement.
What OTM Provides at Community Supported Shelters
To keep it straightforward:
? We Provide:
Virtual primary care visits
Medication refills
Chronic disease management
Lab coordination
Care follow-up after ER visits
Collaboration with case managers
? We Do Not Provide:
Emergency medical services
Long-term specialty care
Replacement for an established primary care provider
Our model is collaborative and supportive — designed to complement the broader healthcare ecosystem in Lane County.
The Bigger Impact: Stability Through Health
Health stability is foundational to housing stability.
When residents can manage blood pressure, control diabetes, refill necessary medications, and address infections early, they are better positioned to:
Attend case management meetings
Engage in employment services
Maintain community agreements
Transition toward permanent housing
OTM’s telehealth partnership with Community Supported Shelters reflects a broader mission: healthcare access as community infrastructure.
In Eugene, innovative shelter models are already transforming how we think about homelessness. By embedding telehealth directly into these communities, we are adding another essential layer of support.
Accessible. Confidential. Covered by OHP.
Healthcare that meets people where they are.
If your organization is interested in partnering with Oregon TeleMed to expand telehealth access for vulnerable populations, we welcome collaboration conversations.