New Bill Seeks To Revamp Oklahoma’s Medicaid System

OKLAHOMA CITY – 

New legislation that revamps the state’s Medicaid system now sits on the governor’s desk.

The bill implements parts of the managed care plan the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority worked to put in place previously.

It would allow the authority to change the bidding process that awards managed care contracts.

It would also give preferential treatment to entities led by local providers.

Lawmakers argue the value-based plan would keep costs low for the state by paying providers a flat rate for patients covered.

That’s opposed to paying for each service provided.

The legislation comes after an attempt to set up a managed care system failed.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled last year the healthcare authority didn’t have the power to switch to managed care.

But this time the change comes from the legislature.

It’s unclear whether Gov. Kevin Stitt will sign the new bill, though he did support efforts to revamp the system last year.