Oklahoma

The following information details health insurance and assistance programs available to uninsured people in Oklahoma. If you currently have health insurance or have just lost health insurance coverage within the past 60 days, visit the health insurance section of our Web site for options available to you. 

Oklahoma Insurance Department - (800) 522-0071
In Oklahoma, state law allows health insurance companies to turn people down for individual health insurance coverage based on the status of their health. In most cases, diabetes is considered an “uninsurable” condition. Even though you can be turned down for an individual policy in Oklahoma, you can never be turned down for health insurance that is offered through an employer.

If you are having a problem with your state-regulated health plan and you are unable to resolve it with the plan directly, file a complaint with the Insurance Department. They may be able to provide you with assistance in reaching a conclusion.

Oklahoma Employer/Employee Partnership for Insurance Coverage (O-EPIC) - (888) 3-OK-EPIC
O-EPIC assists small business owners, employees and their spouses with health insurance premiums. The O-EPIC Premium Assistance Program will pay part of the health plan premiums for eligible employees working for qualified Oklahoma small businesses (with 25 or fewer employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

In spring, 2006, O-EPIC plans to introduce the O-EPIC Public Product Health Care Plan. It is designed as a safety net for people who cannot access private health coverage through their employer. This plan extends coverage to uninsured self-employed individuals, workers whose employers do not provide health coverage, workers who are not eligible to participate in their employer’s health plan, sole proprietors not eligible for small group health coverage, and the unemployed who are currently seeking work.

Oklahoma Medicaid - (866) 411-1877
Medicaid is available to anyone who meets income and eligibility criteria. Even if your income meets the criteria, you must fall into one of the eligibility categories in order to qualify. Contact your state Medicaid program for more information.

Oklahoma Health Insurance High Risk Pool - (800) 255-6065
The Oklahoma Health Insurance High Risk Pool is the Oklahoma state high-risk pool. This program allows individual health insurance policies to be sold to people who might otherwise be considered “uninsurable” because of a chronic illness. Premiums may be high, and a pre-existing condition period may apply. Contact the Oklahoma Health Insurance High Risk Pool for more information.

Children’s Health Insurance Program - State Children’s Health Insurance Program - (800) 987-7767
The Children’s Health Insurance Program is designed to provide health insurance to children and teens up to age 19 whose families may have too great an income or assets to qualify for Medicaid, but who may not be able to afford health insurance. To find out if you or your child meets the income guidelines, please contact the Children’s Health Insurance Program for more information.

If you or your loved one is unable to see a physician due to the cost of care, there may be a local community health clinic in your area. These clinics generally are free to patients or require a very small fee. Find a clinic in your area.

Having trouble finding or keeping adequate or affordable health insurance coverage? Become a diabetes advocate!