From the Desk of Bob McNett…..
Insure Oklahoma program to remain viable for 2015.
I have been wondering, with a little over two months left in 2014, why I had not heard anything about if the the Insure Oklahoma program was going to continue to be viable for 2015.
I finally heard today, while attending a local meeting of the National Association of Health Underwriters, that Insure Oklahoma would remain viable for 2015, and in fact there are discussions about enlarging the program from it’s current 2-99 employee market to 2-250.
Insure Oklahoma is the program that pays subsidies to employers that provide health insurance to lower-wage employees.
A number of our group medical insurance clients have used this program to very good purpose, providing insurance to their low-wage people when they might not otherwise afford to do so.
In the latter part of 2013, most people in the industry did not expect Insure Oklahoma to be renewed for 2014 because of the fact that ACA would go into effect in 2014. We were all pleased when the federal government granted a waiver to allow the program to continue. Now, we have learned that Insure Oklahoma will continue on for next year as well.
I am told that the plan provides subsidies to employers for approximately 18,000 employees, compared to a high of around 30,000 just a few years ago. I am assuming the number has decreased because of the poor economy.
There was also a lot of discussion at the meeting I attended about the need for Insure Oklahoma to upgrade it’s administrative and customer services, which many were saying were totally inadequate. I think Julie, who administers enrollments and renewals for our clients using this program, would heartily agree.
If you would like to know more about Insure Oklahoma, please let us know.
Bob McNett
The McNett Agency
918 294 3712 1 866 497 7119 toll free 918 494 6725 fax