200,000 More Oklahomans Will Soon Be Eligible To Register For Sooner Care

Big changes are coming to Medicaid in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Healthcare Authority announced Wednesday that starting June 1, about 200,000 more Oklahomans will now be able to register online for Sooner Care, the state's Medicaid system.

This comes after voters approved expansion to include families making less than about $36,000 a year. The OHCA said coverage for those who register will then begin about 30 days later, on July 1st.

The department is also clarifying some big changes coming for all Medicaid recipients in Oklahoma.

On October 1, the state is transitioning to a managed care delivery model called Sooner Select. That means members will be able to choose between four different medical plan organizations and three dental plan organizations.

CEO of OHCA Kevin Corbett said Oklahoma is one of only 10 states that has not implemented this already. Right now, Oklahoma ranks among the worst in the country in health outcomes.

"Our choice to move to a managed care model has already been established in 40 other states that have their Medicaid programs operating under MCOs,” said Corbett. “And they've certainly seen better results and quality improvement, access to care, cost predictability and savings."

The OHCA is holding town halls throughout Oklahoma leading up to these changes.