More than 400 Oregonians received air conditioners through the Oregon Health Plan between March 1 and May 31, health officials announced Tuesday ahead of an expected heat wave.

The units reached Oregonians thanks to a first-in-the nation move, approved by federal authorities, to use Medicaid funds for items that are vital to the health of vulnerable people but aren’t traditionally thought of as medical devices.

Officials with the Oregon Healthy Authority said they prioritized the distribution of air conditioners — as well as other devices newly funded by Medicaid — to people in the Oregon child welfare system, those at risk of becoming homeless, adults and young people recently discharged from mental health institutions, and people released from jail or prison within the last year.

Under the expanded program, the state also distributed 500 other devices to Oregon Health Plan members, including heaters, air filters, mini refrigeration units for storing medications, and portable power supplies to operate medical equipment such as ventilators during power outages, officials wrote in their press release.

Oregon Health Plan recipients are encouraged to call 1-888-834-4304 or email ORHRSN@acentra.com to see if they qualify for the devices.

Other programs to distribute free air conditioners to low-income Oregonians exist.

In Portland, eligible residents can receive free portable air conditioners or heat pumps and cooling unit combos by dialing 311 or completing an online application, according to city officials.

A similar rollout in 2022 was marred by setbacks and an embarrassing oversight. However, the city has since provided and installed more than 8,400 cooling units across Portland for free. City officials aim to distribute 15,000 by the end of 2026, a goal the program set when it first began.

— David Nuñez covers breaking news and public safety for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-294-7607 or dnunez@oregonian.com.