How the Health Care Law Will Affect Oklahomans

By Ed Murray, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Some of the changes mandated by the new health care law take effect Thursday, six months after President Barack Obama signed it into law.

Some of those changes included:

• Free immunization for children
• Free preventative care such as mammograms and cholesterol screenings
• No lifetime coverage limits
• No denial of coverage for children with pre-existing health conditions

What did the changes mean for Oklahomans?

For the most part, the changes impacted insurance plans through commercial carriers such as the coverage most people had at work or as an individual. The changes may not take effect for workers until the renewal date for their employers.

A business could choose to "grandfather in" its old plan and make no changes, at least for now.

Individuals will automatically see the changes no later than January 1.

SoonerCare, the state's medical provider, told NEWS 9 the changes would not have any impact on their services because they were already part of policy.

Oklahoma's Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland said seniors need to be aware of what the changes mean to Medicare coverage. She planned to hold statewide meetings for both seniors and insurance providers. Holland said she's concerned that there's been so much misinformation and political rhetoric, that seniors don't understand that the changes will likely benefit them.

"One of the things that is occurring in the Patient Protection Act is the amount of dollars a senior will have to spend for prescription drugs is reducing and that's great news for them," Holland said.

There were potential negatives for seniors, primarily for those in the Medicare Advantage plans. In an effort to reduce cost, less money will be allotted to those special programs.

"We have plans that for instance offer vision screenings, may offer some kind of dental plan that are over and above what Medicare traditionally covers and because of the reduction in benefits, or payments to the plan, they may have to reduce benefits as a consequence," Holland said.

Holland said there were many options for those who might lose benefits. Holland urged people with questions to attend a Senior Summit meeting.

Learn more information about the Senior Summit

Upcoming Meetings

ENID—12:30 – 5 p.m., Friday, September 24
Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Room 127/129
2929 East Randolph, Enid, OK

ARDMORE—8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Thursday, September 30
Santa Fe Depot
251 E. Main, Ardmore, OK

ALTUS—12:30 – 5 p.m., Tuesday, October 12
Southwest Technology Center, Seminar A&B
711 W. Tamarack, Altus, OK

LAWTON—8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 13
Great Plains Technology Center, Building 300, Room 301
4500 Lee Blvd, Lawton, OK