Oklahoma healthcare policy entails the development and implementation of laws, rules, and regulations governing the administration of the state's healthcare system. Medical professionals provide services to identify, treat, and put a stop to mental and physical sickness and injury in the healthcare system. Insurance, medicines, and health information technology are just a few of the associated industries covered by the system.
The 50 state legislatures make thousands of health insurance choices each year not considering those made by municipal governments, which commonly oversee hospitals, and commercial groups, such as insurers. Budget allocations, requirements for doctors acquiring their licenses, insurance covered services, maintenance of personal health information, and which vaccinations children should receive are just a few examples of the decisions that must be made.
Healthcare policy has an impact on not only the cost of care for individuals, but also their access to the quality of care they receive, both of which can have an impact on their overall health. The rising expense of healthcare is a major source of concern for politicians, as it has put a pressure on consumers' discretionary money as well as state budgets.
Other concerns in healthcare policy include uninsured and underinsured populations, state Medicaid expansion, primary care physician shortages, health information technology, and mental health access and coverage.
Insurance protection
Since the late 1940s and 1950s, employers have been the primary source of individual health insurance. This is due, at least in part, to the income tax exemption offered to companies for payments made for employee health insurance. The state and federal governments, which collectively offer Medicaid for low-income persons and Medicare for the aged and disabled, are the second and third primary providers of health insurance. In 2013, about 48% of Oklahoma residents were covered by their employers' insurance. 17 percent of Oklahoma people were covered by Medicaid, while 15% were on Medicare. The uninsured rate in Oklahoma was 1 percentage point higher than the national average.
Buyer beware when buying Limited Benefit Plans - make sure you know what you're getting!
Limited-Duration Short-Term Insurance: In Oklahoma, these plans except state-mandate advantages are now limited to six months of coverage and are not renewable. Some Oklahoma plans may provide coverage for more than six (6) months and must include all state-mandated features. They may reject pre-existing diseases and even ask health-related questions on the application, as well as impose annual and yearly benefit caps. Before you buy, look over the health insurance policy's exclusions and restrictions.
All applications and policies must include conspicuous language informing customers that such plans are not major comprehensive or medical plans and do not provide the same protections as ACA policies.
Accident Only: Pays only if you're treated for an accident-related injury or if you're killed in an accident.
Disability Income: When you are unable to work due to an accident or sickness, you will be paid a certain sum for a set length of time.
Hospital Indemnity: Pays a set sum (for example, $100 per day) if you are admitted to the hospital.
Long-Term Care: Pays for you to be cared for in a nursing home for an extended period of time. Visit www.longtermcare.gov for more information.
Medicare Supplement: This one pays for some medical expenses that Medicare does not cover. (For more information, see Choosing a Medigap Policy.)
Special Needs: Pays for medical care that is not covered by most major medical insurance policies (for example, dental or vision care).
Certain Sickness: Pays only for treatment of a specific disease or condition, such as cancer, that is specifically listed in the policy.
Home Health Care: Covers the cost of health care provided to you at home.
Other kinds of plans include:
Discount Plans - These plans do not comply with the Affordable Care Act. Medical Discount Plans, Dental Discount Plans, Prescription Discount Plans, and Vision Discount Plans are programs in which members pay a membership fee in exchange for service and product discounts from participating suppliers and providers. Members who join these programs are frequently given a card that looks like an insurance card and identifies them as members. These plans, however, are not insurance. Be wary of the buyer! For all kind of policies see us at Oklahoma Health Options.
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