For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Melissa Richey, Chief of Communications
405-982-8707 | melissa.richey@okhca.org
Katelynn Burns, Director of Public Affairs
405-522-7266 | katelynn.burns@okhca.org
OHCA to Transition to New Health Care Model
Two Delivery Reform Bills Signed
Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Health Care Authority will transition to a new health care model following Governor J. Kevin Stitt’s signing of two delivery reform bills, SB 1337 and SB 1396.
SB 1337 codifies the system design for a transformed Medicaid program, which prioritizes access and quality health outcomes for SoonerCare members and creates preferential opportunities for Oklahoma provider led entities to partner with OHCA as contracted entities under this new model.
SB 1396 brings a unique opportunity to invest additional funding into the Oklahoma health care community by drawing down additional federal dollars in the form of supplemental payments to qualifying providers.
“I have pushed since 2020 to find a solution that improves health outcomes for Oklahomans and also protects the taxpayers from rising costs,” said Gov. Stitt. “I want to congratulate Secretary of Health and Mental Health Kevin Corbett and the employees at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority for their hard work to create an innovative solution that will deliver results.”
“These bills encapsulate months of collaboration with the provider community and legislative partners in crafting this new system design,” said Kevin Corbett, Chief Executive Officer of OHCA and Secretary of Health and Mental Health. “I am proud we came together to put Oklahomans’ health at the forefront of these important decisions and design a system that values the unique contributions of Oklahoma-based SoonerCare providers.”
Under the law, contracted entities can include accountable care organizations, provider-led entities, commercial plans and/or dental benefit managers.
OHCA is required to choose at least three contracted entities for medical services, two contracted entities for dental services, and one contracted entity for the children’s specialty plan.
“Contracted entities will be expected to achieve specific quality metrics and develop strategies to address health disparities and social determinants of health,” said Traylor Rains, State Medicaid Director. “This includes partnering with community-based organizations or social service providers, employing, or partnering with community health workers or other non-traditional health workers, as well as furnishing physical health, behavioral health, and pharmacy benefits to all covered members.”
The transition in health care delivery will allow the State to achieve the following payment and delivery system reform goals:
- Improve health outcomes for Oklahomans
- Move toward value-based payment
- Improve SoonerCare member satisfaction
- Contain costs by investing in preventive and primary care.
- Increase cost predictability to the State
“The reality is Oklahoma ranks at the bottom when it comes to health outcomes. We must and can do better,” said Corbett. “It’s important for all of us to stay focused on the task at hand, which is serving Oklahomans to our best ability.”
A medical and dental RFP is expected to be finalized and made public by fall 2022. The anticipated implementation date of the new delivery system is October 1, 2023, subject to the requirements and approval of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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