Public comment period open on changes to work requirements for SoonerCare members
Press Release
August 13, 2018
OHCA Contact: Jo Stainsby - (405) 522-7474; Katelynn Burns - (405) 522-7266
Public comment period open on changes to work requirements for SoonerCare members
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) welcomes comments and input from the public through Sept. 3, regarding changes to the SoonerCare Choice and Insure Oklahoma 1115(a) Demonstration Waiver programs’ work and community engagement requirements.
Potential community partners and entities that can offer engagement and training opportunities as part of the proposed new SoonerCare eligibility requirements are particularly encouraged to participate in the public comment period.
A series of public community meetings has been scheduled across the state to provide opportunity for anyone who would like to offer comment or suggestions on the proposal.
August 16, 3 p.m.
Comanche County Health Department
1010 SW Sheridan Rd., Lawton, OK
August 17, 3 p.m.
Norman Regional - Porter Campus
Education Center, Rooms ABC
901 N. Porter Ave., Norman, OK
August 20, 1:30 p.m.
Pawnee City Hall
510 Illinois St., Pawnee, OK
August 21, 1:30 p.m.
Variety Care - Lafayette Clinic
500 SW 44th St., Oklahoma City, OK
August 23, 3 p.m.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Rm. 131, 2929 E. Randolph Ave., Enid, OK 73701
August 24, 10 a.m.
Eastern Oklahoma State College - McAlester Campus
1802 College Ave., McAlester, OK
August 24, 2 p.m.
Kiamichi Technology Center - Poteau Campus
1509 S. McKenna St., Poteau, OK
August 27, 3 p.m.
James O. Goodwin Health Center
5051 S. 129th E. Ave, Tulsa, OK
After Gov. Mary Fallin signed an executive order in March 2018 and the legislature passed HB 2932, the OHCA was directed to pursue modifications to Medicaid eligibility criteria so that SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid) coverage for certain Medicaid populations is conditional upon documentation of certain education, skills training, work, or job activities.
The OHCA will have to apply for a waiver amendment from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and receive approval in order to implement the work/community engagement requirements.
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) administers two health programs for the state. The first is SoonerCare, Oklahoma’s Medicaid program. SoonerCare works to improve the health of qualified Oklahomans by ensuring that medically necessary benefits and services are available. Qualifying Oklahomans include certain low-income children, seniors, the disabled, those being treated for breast or cervical cancer and those seeking family planning services. The second program OHCA operates is Insure Oklahoma, which assists qualifying adults and small business employees in obtaining health care coverage for themselves and their families. Currently, there are 813,654 Oklahomans enrolled in OHCA’s programs. The agency contracts with a network of 47,073 providers. For more information, visit www.okhca.org or www.insureoklahoma.org.
