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December 2023
If you’re an eligible SoonerCare member moving to SoonerSelect, the open enrollment period for SoonerSelect Dental is now open. Pick one dental plan by Jan. 10, 2024. If you do not pick a plan, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority will pick one for you.
If you have a dentist you want to keep, you should pick a plan that has your dentist in the plan’s network. You can view the plans, compare benefits and access provider directories on the OHC website at MySoonerCare.org.
Then, pick a plan that fits. You’ll get the same health care services offered by SoonerCare, but some plans may offer extra benefits to help you improve your health.
Have questions? View the FAQ page. If you still need help picking your plan, you can talk to plan choice counselors by calling the SoonerCare helpline at 800-987-7767.
SoonerSelect Dental coverage is scheduled to start on Feb. 1, 2024, and SoonerSelect Health and Children’s Specialty Program coverage is scheduled to start on April 1, 2024. Current SoonerCare members continue to be eligible for dental and medical benefits through SoonerCare until they switch to SoonerSelect coverage at that time.
We encourage you to visit our self-service page. You'll find answers related to SoonerCare renewals, case updates, document submissions and what documents are acceptable. The page also offers FAQs and how-to videos. It can help answer your questions or improve your customer service experience.
If you have more questions or need help, please call the SoonerCare helpline at 800-987-7767. For faster help, call when wait times are usually shortest, between 8-10 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
SoonerCare eligibility reviews are continuing. It is important to make sure your information is up to date. Members who are still eligible for coverage but do not have their information up to date could lose their benefits. Please confirm your information and documentation as soon as possible. Some items you may need to update include:
- Household income
- Contact information (address, email address, phone number, etc.)
- Number of people living in your household
- Social Security number(s)
- Missing documents
It is very important to make sure OHCA has the right address for you. That way we can reach you with important information about your SoonerCare benefits. If you receive a letter, email or text message from OHCA saying we are missing information, please respond immediately. You can update your account at MySoonerCare.org.
Are you currently pregnant and on SoonerCare? You could earn up to $580 by participating in a research study about smoking habits. To be eligible, you must be a SoonerCare member at least 18 years of age and be no more than 25 weeks pregnant. Participants must be willing to stop smoking cannabis and other combustible tobacco products during the study. Participants must be able to speak and understand English.
Once enrolled, SoonerCare members will complete six (6) paid surveys over 6 to 10 months. They will get coaching calls and may receive nicotine replacement therapy. They may also get incentives for completing parts of treatment and for quitting smoking. Contact the Helpline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Enroll in the multiple call program to see if you qualify for the study.
OHCA asks all Oklahoma parents affected by SoonerCare renewals to check their children’s SoonerCare status. Even if your coverage has ended, your children could still be eligible. Some coverage could have ended due to a procedural denial. This can include not turning in documents or not completing the renewal process. But they may still be eligible for SoonerCare.
If members have lost eligibility and are reapproved within 90 days of the last day of coverage, OHCA will backdate coverage so there is no gap in care. Log in to MySoonerCare.org or call the SoonerCare helpline at 800-987-7767 to make sure your information is up to date.
OHCA has partnered with Unite Oklahoma, a supportive network of community-based groups and health care providers. Unite Oklahoma offers extra resources to SoonerCare members transitioning off of or recently disenrolled from SoonerCare coverage.
Are you a community member looking for food, housing, transportation, peer support or other services? Fill out the secure form on the Unite Oklahoma website.
Anxiety and depression are common childhood mental health conditions. They are treated in very similar ways. They may happen alone, together, or with other mental health conditions.
Children with anxiety may have fears that seem silly to adults. Some examples include:
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Separation anxiety: Being afraid to leave their caregiver.
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Phobia: Having an extreme fear of specific things like spiders, snakes, etc.
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Social anxiety: Being afraid of being around other people.
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General anxiety: Worrying that bad things in general may happen.
Childhood depression is a lot like adult depression. Some signs your child could be depressed include:
- Lack of interest in their usual hobbies.
- Feeling sad or acting irritable more often.
- Changes in eating habits, such as eating too much or not enough.
- Changes in sleeping habits, such as sleeping too much or not enough.
- Having less energy during the day.
- Telling you they feel hopeless or worthless.
- Any signs of self-harm or self-destructive behaviors, including making risky choices that are not usual for them.
When a child has anxiety or depression, talk therapy should be tried before any medication. There are different types of talk therapy. Your child’s health care provider can help you figure out which is best for your child.
If your child still has anxiety or depression after trying talk therapy for 6 to 8 weeks, adding medication might be helpful. For children ages 3-18, anti-depressant SSRIs are used first. Fluoxetine (Prozac) is the SSRI that is used for most children who need this type of medication. It is safe and can treat anxiety and depression. Talk to your health care provider before starting or stopping any medication, vitamin or other over-the-counter medication for anxiety or depression for yourself or your child.
It’s important to remember that SSRIs don’t work right away. It can take up to 8 weeks before someone starts to feel better. If the first medication doesn’t work, a different one may be needed. Your health care provider can help you know when the medicine is working.
Most medications have side effects, so it’s important to pay special attention after starting any new medication. Side effects of SSRIs include new or worsening of any of the following:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness or drowsiness
- Being obsessed with something
- Making risky choices
- Being overly excited
A rare but serious side effect is serotonin syndrome. If you notice that your child has a fever, fast heartbeat, confusion, increased anxiety, tight muscles, or shaking, seek medical attention immediately.
If your child has anxiety or depression, contact your health care provider to talk about the next steps. Questions about a particular medication’s coverage or other pharmacy benefit questions? Call the Pharmacy Help Desk at 405-522-6205, option 4, or toll-free 800-522-0114, option 4.
OHCA has been sending surveys to a sample of SoonerCare members. We are working to make your member experience the best it can be. If you get a survey, use the provided link or phone number to take the survey. The survey is available in English and Spanish and takes just a few minutes to complete.
The holidays are the perfect time to spread some cheer. And what better way than to help someone live more independently by donating gently used durable medical equipment? Our waitlist is full of folks waiting for blood pressure monitors, grab bars and shower chairs.
ABLE Tech takes donated devices and repairs equipment to ensure top performance. All donated equipment is cleaned, refurbished and reassigned to the best-matched Oklahoman. Want to schedule a free drop off or pick up? Fill out the Authorization for Donated Equipment form.
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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 X. 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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