|
Spring 2019
 |
|
OHCA offices will be closed on the following dates, as they are observed as holidays by the state of Oklahoma:
- May 27, 2019 – Memorial Day
- July 4, 2019 – Independence Day
We will be happy to assist you during our regular office hours.
Thank you.
Back to top
|
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, one person every hour dies from complications of oral cancer. SoonerCare encourages you to speak with your health care provider about the risk factors for oral cancer, and how you can help prevent it.
Even though oral cancer can be prevented and it’s not as common as other cancers, it is still dangerous. In the early stages it may hard to notice by the patient and can progress without pain or symptoms. This can lead to a late diagnosis and treatment, which is much more serious.
The most important thing you can do to prevent oral cancer is to avoid using tobacco. The combined usage of tobacco and drinking too much alcohol increases your risk of developing oral cancer. Men over age 50 who are heavy drinkers and smokers are at an especially high risk of developing oral cancer.
For more information about oral cancer, its diagnosis and treatment, visit the Oral Cancer Foundation website.
Back to top
|
 |
Thinking of turning over a new leaf this spring to be TOBACCO FREE?
The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline provides a variety of FREE services, resources and support to help you quit tobacco. Registrants can receive nonjudgmental support though text, email, phone calls or web coaching. SoonerCare members may receive counseling, as well as prescription and over-the-counter medications to help stop using tobacco.
The following products are free with a prescription from your doctor and they do not count against your six prescription limit per month:
- Patches
- Gum
- Lozenges
- Inhaler
- Nasal spray
- Zyban
- Chantix (180 days per 12 months)
For more information and to find helpful tips, call 1-800-QUITNOW or visit https://okhelpline.com
Back to top
Summer break is around the corner, and this time out of school is the perfect opportunity to schedule a dental appointment for your kids on SoonerCare! Curious about when to schedule your baby's first dental appointment? We recommend all children be seen by a dentist by age 1.
Schedule your child's dental checkup today! Call the SoonerCare Helpline at 800-987-7767 with any questions.
Back to top
|
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be Saturday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. National Take-Back Day is a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs.
Check DEA's official Take-Back Day website for more information and to find year-round collection sites near you.
Back to top
|
Did you know? On average, a child goes to the emergency room every 10 minutes for medicine poisoning.
Safe medicine storage starts at home. Always remember to keep medicine in locked cabinets or in a locked box placed high on a shelf out of the sight and reach of children. Sometimes even with all of the correct medication safety measures a child can still accidentally get into medication. If this ever happens, contact the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information (OCPDI). They operate the Poison Helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The poison center staff are specially trained pharmacists and nurses who provide poisoning management advice to Oklahoma residents and health care professionals.
Do you have questions about a medication you are taking? Are you concerned that someone may have taken too much medication? If so, contact one of the trained specialists at the Poison Helpline at (800) 222-1222. It does not need to be a medical emergency to call the Poison Helpline. For other medication related questions, please contact the SoonerCare Pharmacy Help Desk at 1-800-522-0114, option 4.
Back to top
 |
|
Opioid pain relievers can be important in pain management, but they can also be easily misused or abused. To help protect Oklahomans from opioid misuse, we’re phasing in some new opioid strength (morphine milligram equivalent, or MME) limits for prescriptions covered by SoonerCare.
Beginning April 29, opioid prescriptions will be limited to 180 MME per day or less. Over 180 MME will require prior authorization.
Not sure if this affects your prescription? Call your prescribing physician or the SoonerCare Pharmacy Help Desk at 800-522-0114.
Back to top
|
Oklahomans know that when Spring brings on the blooms and the beautiful weather, along comes the allergies-the tree pollen, weeds, mold spores and so many more.
SoonerCare is here to help you fight off the sneezes so you can enjoy the Spring fun! SoonerCare covers over-the-counter (OTC) allergy, cold and fever products for members younger than 21 years of age with a prescription from your doctor.
To find out the products that are covered, contact the SoonerCare Pharmacy Help Desk at 1-800-522-0114, option 4, and speak with one of our pharmacy help desk agents who will be happy to assist you with your questions. You can also find more information at www.okhca.org/otcmeds.
Back to top
Follow us on social media!
Our vision is for Oklahomans to be healthy and to have access to quality health care services regardless of their ability to pay.
OHCA Core Values:
Inclusiveness | Accountability | Engagement | Innovation | Integrity
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services.
Please submit any questions, comments or content suggestions to Kelly Hughes (kelly.hughes@okhca.org) in the OHCA’s Office of Creative Media & Design: 405-522-7488.
|
