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February 2023
Due to COVID-19, Medicaid renewals were paused. However, Oklahoma will soon be required to restart eligibility reviews for all SoonerCare members. If you are no longer eligible to receive Medicaid (SoonerCare), you should have received a purple letter in the mail, as well as a separate email.
Ineligible members will be disenrolled from SoonerCare over a period of nine months. Oklahoma Human Services (OHS) will disenroll ineligible members who enrolled through OHS over a period of 12 months. This will only affect members who are no longer eligible to receive SoonerCare coverage.
OHCA will consider your situation when determining your coverage end date. Critical health conditions, financial need and benefit use are some of the circumstances OHCA will review to decide your end date.
It is very important to make sure SoonerCare has the right mailing address, email address and phone number for you so we can reach you with important information about your SoonerCare benefits. If you receive a letter or email from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority saying there is missing information from you, please respond right away by updating your account at MySoonerCare.org.
Even small changes to your diet can have a BIG impact on reducing the risk of developing heart disease and improving your overall health. SoonerCare offers a benefit that will provide you with up to six hours of nutritional counseling from an expert. Learn more here and ask your doctor for a referral today.
Did you know that heart disease and diabetes often go hand in hand? If your blood sugar level is consistently higher than it’s supposed to be, SoonerCare offers a benefit that can help you manage your diabetes better. It will help you understand how to take care of yourself and find the latest devices and medicine that can help you be successful. Learn more here and ask your doctor for a referral today.
February is Children's Oral Health Month and a reminder to follow the right steps to help protect your child’s teeth and gums and reduce the risk of cavities:
- Brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between teeth by flossing daily.
- Eat a healthy diet and limit sugar intake.
- Limit sugary drinks like milk before bedtime.
- Visit the dentist regularly for check-ups.
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Insomnia is a sleep disorder where people have a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep. Sleep is very important for your child’s mental and physical health. Having a good night’s sleep has a direct effect on happiness. Good sleep improves mood, memory and attention. When kids do not get enough sleep, it can have long-term effects on mental health and poor performance in school.
The table below shows how many hours of sleep is needed each day for children based on their age, as recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
| Age Range |
Hours of Sleep Needed Each Day |
| 4-12 months |
12-16 hours (including naps) |
| 1-2 years |
11-14 hours (including naps) |
| 3-5 years |
10-13 hours (including naps) |
| 6-12 years |
9-12 hours |
| 13-18 years |
8-10 hours |
Here are some tips for parents to help your kids sleep better:
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Babies: Soothe your baby without picking them up. Leave the room quietly when they are settled.
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Toddlers: Involve your child in the bedtime routine. Let them pick out their pajamas.
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Adolescents: Homework, play and electronic device use should not happen in the bedroom. Find a different room for these activities.
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Teens: Set a good example of healthy sleep routines. Encourage your teen to follow suit.
Read more about sleep problems and solutions here. The CDC website also has some helpful tips for good sleep.
If you notice that your child is struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep at night, reach out to your SoonerCare provider.
If you have any questions about your SoonerCare coverage as it relates to medications, please call the Pharmacy Help Desk at 405-522-6205, option 4, or toll-free at 800-522-0114, option 4.
OHCA is working to improve your SoonerCare member experience. To make it the best it can be, we will be mailing surveys to a random sample of members. The survey covers topics such as adult health, child health, behavioral health and dental services.
If you are a member who receives a survey in the mail, there will be a link and phone number provided so you can choose to complete the survey online or by phone. The survey will be available in English and in Spanish. Each survey only takes a few minutes to complete. Please help us by completing your survey so we can work to better improve your member experience. Thank you!
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Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. SoonerCare is dedicated to help fight and prevent diseases like cancer by providing a free annual lung cancer screening for those who qualify.
- Are you between the ages of 50 and 80?
- Have you smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day for 20 more years?
- Have you quit smoking cigarettes within the last 15 years?
If you can answer yes to any of the above, you should speak with your health care provider about the benefit of lung cancer screening. It has been shown to reduce the risk of death from lung cancer by 20%! Click here to find out more about SoonerQuit and member benefits.
Individuals who were enrolled in Medicaid and who aged out of foster care at 18 years old in another state on or after Jan. 1, 2023, are now eligible to enroll in SoonerCare. If you have questions about this change, please call the SoonerCare Helpline at 800-987-7767.
For SoonerCare to fulfill your request, please make sure spam blocking is turned off on your phone. Sometimes when we return a call, it can show up as spam. Our phone number may also come up as a Colorado or Florida number on your caller ID.
About OHCA
Please call the SoonerCare helpline at 800-987-7767 if you have questions about your coverage or benefits. For updates on new policies, health tips, helpful resources and more, follow OHCA on Facebook and/or Twitter. 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.
 
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