Oklahoma Cares (OK Cares)
History
Effective January 1, 2005, the State of Oklahoma began providing Medicaid benefits to uninsured women under 65, who have been identified through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) and are in need of treatment for breast or cervical cancer (including pre-cancerous conditions and early stage cancer).
Oklahoma Cares is a partnership of the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), the Cherokee Nation, the Kaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) to provide treatment for breast and cervical cancer and pre-cancerous conditions to eligible women. Oklahoma Cares was established as a result of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000.
Services
- Breast and cervical cancer and pre-cancer diagnosis and treatment;
- Medicaid coverage that includes the full range of services (not only cancer treatment);
- Medicaid eligibility continues until the woman no longer need of breast or cervical cancer treatment.
To qualify under this program, a woman must:
- be screened under the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCEDP) and have an abnormal screen, requiring further diagnosis and/or treatment services;
- have qualifying low income;
- have no creditable insurance covering Breast and Cervical Cancer (BCC) diagnosis or treatment (Note: medical care programs of the Indian Health Services (IHS) or tribal organizations are not considered creditable insurance);
- be under the age of 65;
- be an Oklahoma resident who is a U.S. citizen or eligible qualified alien;
- declare a Social Security number;
- assign her rights to Third Party Liability if she has insurance that is not creditable;
- declare her income for the purpose of determining that she is not otherwise eligible for Medicaid.
You can find a certified BCCEDP screening provider in your area by contacting
- Oklahoma State Health Department 866-550-5585;
- Cherokee Nation 800-256-0671 ext. 5442 or 918-453-5442;
- Kaw Nation of Oklahoma 580-362-1039 ext. 228.
To register as a certified screener online, please complete one of the following forms:
If you are a licensed MD, DO, PA, NP, CNM, CNS, or a nurse of the Oklahoma City County Health Department or the Tulsa County Health Department, please complete the Partnership Agreement;
For nurses employed at County Health Departments, EXCLUDING the Oklahoma City County Health Department and the Tulsa County Health Department, please complete the Certified Screener Registration Form for Oklahoma County Health Departments.
Once you have been screened by means of clinical breast exam, mammogram, or pap smear and found to be in need of further diagnosis and treatment, you or your healthcare provider can call the Oklahoma State Department of Health to find out how to apply for Oklahoma Cares.
If you have been previously diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer and are still undergoing treatment and meet all of the other eligibility criteria, you may be eligible for this program. Call the Oklahoma State Department of Health to find out how.
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
The Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave., Suite 1702
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406
Physical Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
The Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK
Phone: (405) 426-8300
Fax: (405) 900-7610
Email: Center@health.ok.gov
