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December 2020
We have a new form for self-employed members who receive cash as income for self- employment. It is called the self-employment/cash income statement. This can be found online at http://okhca.org/memberforms/.
For general questions about COVID-19, please call 211 or visit www.coronavirus.health.ok.gov.
To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit https://oklahoma.gov/covid19/vaccine-information.html.
Don't forget! If you or your children have any other health insurance in addition to SoonerCare, we need to know! Please update this information in your member portal or call the SoonerCare helpline at 800-987-7767.
You asked. We listened. Our new website is live! Thank you for your patience as we continue making a few tweaks to the website to help you have the best experience possible. Check out the new site at https://oklahoma.gov/ohca.
Maintenance medications can now be processed for a 90-day supply without an override. There are many categories of maintenance medications included on the list. Talk to your doctor about 90-day supply options and see a complete list of maintenance medications eligible for a 90-day supply on our website at www.okhca.org/rx.
The Food and Drug Administration recently changed their warnings for a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (BZDs). The changes will help patients and health care providers better understand the drug abuse, addiction and overdoses that sometimes happen with these drugs.
BZDs may be used for several different reasons such as anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, seizures and pre-medication before a medical procedure.
These drugs cause slower brain activity, extreme sleepiness and slower breathing. If they are taken with opioid medications or alcohol, the effects are even larger and can lead to an overdose. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports more than 30% of opioid overdoses involve BZDs.
In addition to the risk of overdose, some people become physically dependent on these drugs after only a few days and can have a very hard time stopping them safely. Stopping BZDs too suddenly is very dangerous and could be life-threatening.
The FDA recommends:
- Avoiding alcohol with BZDs.
- Taking your medication exactly as prescribed.
- Discussing a plan to slowly decrease BZD dose and frequency with your health care provider.
- Storing and disposing of unused BZDs properly.
- Calling 911 if you have serious side effects or trouble breathing.
The BZD class of drugs includes:
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Generic Name
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Brand Name(s)
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alprazolam
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Xanax®, Xanax XR®
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chlordiazepoxide /clidinium bromide
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Librax®
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chlordiazepoxide
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Librium®
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chlordiazepoxide /amitriptyline
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Limbitrol®, Limbitrol DS®
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clobazam
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Onfi®
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clonazepam
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Klonopin®
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clorazepate
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Gen-Xene®, Tranxene®
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diazepam
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Diastat®, Diastat® Acudial®, Valium®, Valtoco®
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estazolam
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No brand name currently marketed
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flurazepam
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No brand name currently marketed
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lorazepam
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Ativan®
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midazolam
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Nayzilam®, Seizalam®
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oxazepam
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No brand name currently marketed
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quazepam
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Doral®
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temazepam
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Restoril®
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triazolam
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Halcion®
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There is a new warning for over-the-counter pain medicines known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Why do we need a warning? After the 20th week of pregnancy, NSAIDs can dangerously lower the amniotic fluid. This means your baby might not have as much protection while growing. These drugs also can affect your baby’s kidneys. This new warning adds to the other risks of using NSAIDs while pregnant.
What should I do? You should not take NSAIDs unless your health care provider has told you to take them. If you are pregnant and took NSAIDs during your pregnancy, call your health care provider to see if you need extra testing.
Which drugs are in the warning? More than twenty products are on the list of prescription NSAIDs. Over-the-counter NSAIDs are in many pain medicines and are in some cold, flu, allergy and sleep medications. Some of the drugs included are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
What if I still have questions? Talk to your health care provider about any questions you have before, during or after pregnancy. You can also read about plans for using medicines safely during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
If you are pregnant, taking a daily prenatal vitamin is one of the easiest and most important things you can do for your baby. SoonerCare covers most prenatal vitamins at no cost, and they do not count against your monthly prescription limit.
SoonerCare family planning options are listed online. For most members, SoonerCare covers over-the-counter birth control and prescription birth control at no cost and these items do not count against your monthly prescription limit.
Everyone should brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes each time and clean between their teeth once a day. But during the holidays it's a good idea to brush your teeth at least three times, especially after meals.
As we eat more sweet treats and desserts, removing the sugar, bacteria and plaque can help prevent tooth decay and gingivitis.
Lastly, holiday breaks from school are a great time to schedule dental cleanings and checkups with your family dentist.
Members seeking orthodontic therapy (braces) will need to be referred to an orthodontist by a general dentist who accepts SoonerCare. This means even if you see a dental provider with other insurance, the referral for braces still must come from a dentist who accepts SoonerCare.
 
SoonerCare covers all FDA-approved medications to help you quit tobacco. These do not count against the six prescription limit per month. Talk to your SoonerCare provider about what options are best for you!
Timeline of Benefits After Quitting Smoking
8 hours - more oxygen in the blood
12 hours - carbon monoxide drops to normal level
24 hours - breathing starts to get easier
2-12 Weeks - circulation and lung function improve
After 12 months - heart attack risk cut in half
Need to speak with a SoonerCare helpline representative? Follow the steps below, even if they do not all apply to you, to get connected to a representative. We can check for documents, discuss benefits, help you apply for SoonerCare or assist you with any other questions or issues you may have.
The SoonerCare and Insure Oklahoma Facebook and Twitter pages are no longer active. Follow Oklahoma Health Care Authority on Facebook and Twitter for updates, new policies, health tips, helpful resources and more! You can find OHCA's profiles by clicking the links below.
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 Principles:
Passion for Our Purpose
Empowerment and Accountability
Trust and Transparency
Solution-oriented
Servant Leadership
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 Aaron Askew (aaron.askew@okhca.org) from OHCA's strategic communications office: 405-522-7403.
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