Oklahoma Individual and Family Health Insurance

Get Oklahoma health insurance plans throughout the state, including the metropolitan areas of Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Lawton, Broken Arrow, Edmond, Midwest City, Enid, Moore, and Stillwater.

The State of Affairs of Oklahoma’s Health Insurance

The state of Oklahoma spent $17.3 billion in 2004 on total health care expenditure, with the most costs associated with hospital care.  Oklahomans need to have individual health insurance plans, as the annual percentage growth of healthcare in the state is about 7%.

Boomers’ Paradise has over 3.4 million residents calling the state home.  About 26% of the population has Medicaid and/or Medicare coverage.  48% or 1.7 million have Oklahoma small business health insurance coverage through their employers, paying an average premium of $635 for individual health insurance and $3,072 for family health insurance plans.

When the premiums of Oklahoma’s small business health insurance plans are compared to those that can be obtained from individual markets, the latter is more affordable. To help you find these Oklahoma affordable health insurance plans, InsureMonkey is proud to be your springboard and health insurance agent.

Oklahoma Health Insurance Providers

Oklahoma’s High Risk Pool

In Oklahoma, a high-risk pool program was created in 1986 with the purpose of helping residents who have a history of medical problems obtain healthcare coverage. These residents are typically not eligible for other state-funded healthcare programs because of their income, but have been denied by some health insurance providers due to their pre-existing medical conditions.

The high-risk pool in Oklahoma is called the OHRP or the Oklahoma Health Insurance High Risk Pool. It has served more than 2,000 Oklahomans. The OHRP intends to increase the Lifetime Maximum feature of its health plans to $1 million by July 2009.

To apply for coverage or to see if you qualify, call 1-800-255-6065 or (405) 741-8434. You may also visit the website at http://okhrp.org/.

Oklahoma’s Uninsured

The Urban Institute and the Kaiser Commission reported that in 2006-2007, the total uninsured population in Oklahoma is more than 646,000.  Approximately 20% of this population, or more than 129,000, are uninsured children.

The Issue Paper put together by the Community Action Project reported that the percentage of uninsured in Oklahoma has been consistently higher than the national average since 1998.

There are several reasons for being uninsured. For example, a person who works part-time may not be qualified to obtain the employee-based Oklahoma health insurance plan. Whichever the reason, there is an undeniable need to have an affordable Oklahoma health plan. Oklahomans can find feasible options that are available to them through InsureMonkey.

Oklahoma SCHIP

The State of Oklahoma runs a Medicaid expansion program for the State Children’s Health Insurance Plan. This program is known as SoonerCare Choice, a low-cost health insurance plan for uninsured children younger than 19 years old. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority manages this program.

Eligibility for SoonerCare coverage must meet income requirements. Children’s parents must make a total household income that falls between 100% and 185% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009, which is approximately $17,600 and $32,560.

To apply or to get more information, please contact the Oklahoma Health Care Authority at 405-522-7300 or visit http://www.ohca.state.ok.us/.
Application forms can be obtained by calling or visiting the nearest county office of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

Medicaid in Oklahoma

The Medicaid Program in the State of Oklahoma is called SoonerCare. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority is the governing body for this publicly funded health insurance plan. SoonerCare caters to these groups of beneficiaries:

•    Adults who are 19 years old and older with family planning needs
•    Adults with children who are younger than 19
•    Pregnant women
•    Children under the age of 19
•    Persons who are 65 years old and older
•    Persons who are blind or have disabilities
•    Women younger than 65 and had breast or cervical cancer treatment

To be eligible, a person must meet residency requirements, as well as these income eligibility requirements.

•    Children
      o    Infants Ages 0-1:  $32,560 or 185% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009
      o    Children Ages 1-5:  $32,560 or 185% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009
      o    Children Ages 6-19:  $32,560 or 185% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009
•    Parents
      o    Non-Working:  $5,652 or 32% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009
      o    Working:  $8,532 or 48% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009
•    Women
      o    Pregnant women: $32,560 or 185% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009

To apply for SoonerCare, Oklahoma’s Medicaid Program, a resident must contact a local office of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services at http://www.okdhs.org/okdhslocal/. An application form must be filled out and mailed to or dropped off at the local office. For additional information about Medicaid, call 405-522-7300.

If a resident finds himself ineligible for SoonerCare, he can still obtain assistance from the state by visiting the Joint Oklahoma Information Network and filling out a questionnaire at http://www.join.ok.gov/QuestionnaireManager/Questionnaire.aspx.

(Facts throughout this page provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation at www.statehealthfacts.org and by The New Health Insurance Solution at www.tnhis.com.  Commentary provided by InsureMonkey.)

State Resources

Oklahoma Health Care Authority
Website: http://www.ohca.state.ok.us/
Phone: 405-522-7300

Department of Health
Website: http://www.ok.gov/health/
Phone: 405/271-5600

Insure Oklahoma
Website: http://www.oepic.ok.gov/
Phone: 1-888-365-3742

Oklahoma Insurance Department
Website: http://www.ok.gov/oid/
Phone: 405-521-2828