What does Oklahoma's Medicaid expansion mean for me? Who's eligible and how to apply

Jun. 1—Oklahomans eligible for health coverage through Medicaid expansion can begin applying for benefits Tuesday.

Here's what you need to know about who's eligible and how to apply.

Last year, Oklahoma voters passed State Question 802, which expanded Medicaid eligibility to include many low-income adults.

Oklahoma's Medicaid program, called SoonerCare, has covered children, pregnant women, elderly adults and disabled people. Under the expanded eligibility guidelines, over 200,000 more people will be eligible for coverage, according to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which oversees the program.

"It's been nearly one year since Oklahomans voted to expand SoonerCare, giving access to affordable quality health care to more Oklahomans than ever before," Kevin Corbett, CEO of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, said in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming and serving these new members on SoonerCare, and helping Oklahoma become a Top 10 state for positive health outcomes."

Those who are newly eligible for Medicaid will receive the same benefits as current Medicaid recipients.

The expansion will cost roughly $1.3 billion, and the federal government will cover 90% of the costs.

Under the expanded Medicaid guidelines, adults ages 19-64 whose income is 138% or lower than the federal poverty level are eligible for coverage.

For an individual, that is an income of about $17,796 a year, or $36,588 for a family of four.

Applications can be submitted online, over the phone or through the mail.

To apply online, visit MySoonerCare.org. To apply over the phone, call the SoonerCare Helpline at 800-987-7767.

To send in an application by mail, printable applications can be found in English and Spanish on the Oklahoma Health Care Authority website.

Benefits will go into effect for those who qualify for coverage through Medicaid expansion beginning July 1.

"People can apply during June, and have their coverage start right the first day on July 1," Steve Goldman, enrollment navigator at Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, said during a panel discussion hosted last week by the Oklahoma Policy Institute and the Cover OK Health Care Coalition.

Goldman said people can also apply July 1 or any day afterward, and coverage starts the day someone applies.

"But again, you have to apply before you incur bills, if you want those bills covered," he said.

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority says the newly eligible adult population will be covered under the SoonerCare Traditional Plan until Oct. 1, when adults approved for benefits through Medicaid expansion will transition to a managed care model called SoonerSelect.

In that shift, those on SoonerCare will choose between plans from four medical insurance companies and three dental insurance companies.

The SoonerSelect medical plans are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, Humana Healthy Horizons in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Complete Health and UnitedHealthcare.

The dental plans are DentaQuest, LIBERTY Dental and MCNA Dental.

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