Oklahoma medical groups sue to stop Medicaid privatization
February 12, 2021 GMT
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A group of Oklahoma medical organizations filed suit Thursday seeking to stop Gov. Kevin Stitt from privatizing much of the state’s Medicaid program.
The Oklahoma State Medical Association, Oklahoma Dental Association and other state medical groups filed a petition that asks the state Supreme Court to weigh in.
They argue that the Oklahoma Health Care Authority proceeded with the plan without the legislative approval required to fund the proposal.
“Converting the lions share of the state’s Medicaid system to one primarily administered not by the agency, but rather insurance companies, is a matter of great public interest, especially in light of the acute health care challenges associated with the current pandemic already confronting citizens and medical providers,” the lawsuit asserts.
Oklahoma State Medical Association to challenge state s Medicaid managed-care program
Getty Images
The Oklahoma State Medical Association on Tuesday said it plans to seek a court injunction against the state s recently announced $2.1 billion Medicaid managed-care program.
The association plans to challenge the Oklahoma Health Care Authority s decision to allow UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, Humana Healthy Horizons and Centene Corp. subsidiary Oklahoma Complete Health to manage Medicaid benefits for the state s 903,000 enrollees come Oct. 1. The initiative, named SoonerSelect, covers lower-income adults, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the Children s Health Insurance Program.
The group said it takes issue with private companies operating the state s Medicaid program, rather than the Health Care Authority. Through SoonerSelect, the state will pay private insurers under a capitated payment model, offering payers a set fee per enrollee to coor