Oklahoma Long-Term Care Information

Oklahoma

Oklahoma has low percentages of some risky health behaviors.The frequency of binge drinking among residents of Oklahoma is currently minimal, according to America’s Health Rankings by the United Health Foundation. The percentage of adults who smoke lowered from 26.1% in 2012 to 23.3% in 2013.

Despite these achievements, Oklahoma ranked 44 out of 50 states in terms of health. The state has an obesity rate of 32%, and 28% of its adult population reports physical inactivity. Oklahoma also records 330.5 fatalities from cardiovascular disease per 100,000 residents.

Calculations by AARP, or the American Association of Retired Persons, indicate that the population of Oklahoma adults aged 85 and above will grow by 46% between 2007 and 2030.

Oklahoma managed to decrease its preventable hospital admissions from 96 to 77 discharges per 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries within the last 5 years. Yet, the state still performed relatively poor compared to other states in dealing with preventable hospitalizations.

Cost of Care

Below are the average daily cost* of long-term care services in Oklahoma.

Notes:

*Costs are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
¹Daily average for a private room.
²Based on five days of care per week.
³Based on six hours of care per day, five days per week.

Insurance Options

Transamerica began accepting enrollees for its TransCare III long-term care insurance product in 36 states, including Oklahoma, on September 10, 2013. This newer policy by Transamerica intends to attract individual policyholders. TransCare III also comes with the Tailored Benefit Increase Option Rider, Elimination Period Credit Rider, and other riders.

In addition, MedAmerica’s FlexCare LTCI policy saw modifications in its discounts for preferred health and spouses on October 28, 2013. Oklahoma was one of the states affected by these modifications. MedAmerica also removed the option to pay premiums through credit cards in all of its LTCI products.

Among insurance carriers with approval to sell Partnership LTCI policies in Oklahoma are Assurity Life, Bankers Life, Country Life, Genworth, John Hancock, Massachusetts Mutual, New York Life, Northwestern, State Farm, Transamerica, and Unum Life.

State Long-Term Care Programs

Residents in Oklahoma who can meet the guidelines for the state’s Medicare Part A and Part B can receive payments for skilled nursing care and other covered LTC services. On the other hand, some residents may choose Medicare Part C, or Medicare Advantage plans, as an alternative. Medicare Part C helps in getting care services, although the availability of plans varies according to the state’s local areas.

Oklahoma’s Medicaid, the government health program that pays for LTC services of low-income families, is popularly known as SoonerCare. Although qualified Oklahoma residents do not have to worry about SoonerCare costs, some care services may require co-pays.

Oklahoma, along with several states, declined the expansion of 2014’s Medicaid coverage for adults with limited income.

Some states have the Money Follows the Person program under Medicaid; in Oklahoma, this is called Living Choice. Adults with disability or other long-term medical conditions eligible for SoonerCare can benefit from the Living Choice. Similar persons who require the services in a nursing facility can apply for the My Life; My Choice Waiver Program.

More Resources

To get more specific information regarding long-term care services and insurance options in Oklahoma, please check the following websites:

Department of Health

Provides a list of various long-term care facilities and settings.

OSU Cooperative Extension Service

Gives an introduction to LTC and its payment option, and provides additional resources.

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