About 300,000 people will be disenrolled from SoonerCare. HealthCare.gov can help
A huge number of Oklahomans have received bad news about their health insurance this year. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority told about 300,000 people they will be disenrolled from SoonerCare, the state’s version of Medicaid.
The news is inconvenient, leaves people vulnerable and might sound very expensive for families. But people don’t have to find themselves without health insurance.
More: Company that offers direct primary care on insurance Marketplace now serving OKC
Oklahomans who don’t receive coverage from their employer or other sources are eligible to buy affordable plans through the Marketplace — also known as an exchange — at HealthCare.gov. The site has information pages especially for people who have lost Medicaid coverage, and it helps guide users through each step needed to purchase new plans, whether for an individual or a family.
For many users, a huge bonus is finding out they also qualify for a government subsidy known as a “premium tax credit” which reduces the amount they pay every month. The idea is pretty simple: Almost everyone who can use the exchange will find something they can afford.
And these aren’t one-size-fits-all plans from unknown entities. Users get to choose from a wide variety of coverages based on their budget and their anticipated needs, and the biggest names in the industry offer options.
Even people who don’t get health insurance from an employer can use the same insurance companies as those who work for the biggest providers in Oklahoma.
There are also a variety of new players offering innovative plans. Taro Health, for instance, offers plans that give everyone access to a direct primary care (DPC) doctor, at no additional cost above the monthly premium. The DPC model allows patients to have more direct access to a primary care doctor, thus developing a real relationship where both the doctor and patient have time to fully discuss a patient’s concerns and to focus on staying healthy, rather than just treating illnesses.
For most people, enrollment in plans through the exchange starts on Nov. 1. To ensure coverage starts with the new year, it's important to sign up by Dec. 15. Which means now is the perfect time for people to start their research.
The topic of health care can be intimidating, especially for people moving from government insurance to a private plan. But HealthCare.gov makes it easy, usually affordable and provides a wide variety of options.
Frank Wu is the CEO of Taro Health.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Losing SoonerCare access? HealthCare.gov can help keep you insured
