8/12/20
For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Melissa Richey, Chief of Communications
405-982-8707 | melissa.richey@okhca.org

Katelynn Burns, Sr. Public Information Representative
405-522-7266 | katelynn.burns@okhca.org

Oklahoma Medicaid will Implement Dental Managed Care in an Effort to Improve Oklahoma’s Oral Health

OKLAHOMA CITY — As Oklahoma strives to become a top ten state in healthcare, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority will pursue a model to carve out dental managed care services as the agency transitions to a managed care delivery service for Oklahoma Medicaid. Dental managed care services will provide targeted benefits to members, in addition to the medical services received through standard managed care organizations.

Currently, Oklahoma ranks 37th in the nation for overall oral health outcomes. This new model will provide many life-changing health benefits to Oklahomans by motivating members to pursue preventive care, provide educational outreach programs, and ensure patients have a dental home and are utilizing the services available to them.

“We are excited to have a dental managed care model that will have the ability to focus specifically on Oklahoman’s oral health needs,” said OHCA Dental Director, Dr. Karen Luce. “This will greatly benefit SoonerCare members and allow for cost savings due to improving quality of life, enhancing overall health and taking preventive measures.”

The new managed care arrangements will allow the state to hold plans accountable for the delivery of high quality, cost effective dental care. Managed care organizations will have the flexibility needed to realign dental provider incentives to increase preventive care and reduce the need for high-cost restorative procedures.

The new dental managed care model will take effect in 2021. To learn more about Oklahoma Medicaid, visit www.okhca.org.

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About the Oklahoma Health Care Authority

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority 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 827,657 Oklahomans enrolled in OHCA’s programs. The agency contracts with a network of approximately 60,000 providers. For more information, visit www.okhca.org or www.insureoklahoma.org.