Oklahoma Supreme Court Blocks Medicaid MCO Plan

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 11, 2021)—Oklahoma home medical equipment (HME) suppliers and a broad spectrum of other health care providers were cheered last week by a state Supreme Court ruling that the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) does not have the authority to implement a managed care plan for the state’s Medicaid system.
 
The court’s decision drew praise from Oklahoma Medical Equipment Providers Association (OMEPA) leaders as well as other members of a broad coalition of Oklahoma health care providers who have been fighting the proposed move to a managed care model for Medicaid in the state legislature and through the courts. 

While the ruling forestalls OHCA’s ability to implement a Medicaid managed care program on its own authority, proponents of the move may still attempt to proceed with the model in the future.
 
“OMEPA and other health care leaders in Oklahoma have done an exceptional job in spotlighting the potential impacts of the MCO approach on both providers and patients,” said Laura Williard, AAHomecare vice president of payer relations. “I’d especially like to acknowledge the persistence and effectiveness of OMEPA President Larry Dalton, Victor Clay of Complete Care Medical and Katie Roberts of Cimarron Medical Services in this fight. These efforts provide a great foundation for the Oklahoma HME community to push back against future Medicaid MCO proposals in the state.”