Oklahoma seeks to privatize care to most Medicaid recipients

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma agency that oversees the state’s Medicaid program has published two requests for proposals seeking for-profit companies to outsource care for most Medicaid recipients.

The Oklahoman reports that the Oklahoma Health Care Authority on Thursday took initial steps to pursue an approach to health insurance coverage that seeks to maximize health care quality while cutting costs. The agency will oversee medical and dental spending for 773,794 of the state’s nearly 1 million Medicaid recipients.

Over time, the agency may phase in additional Medicaid populations, such as the aged, blind and disabled.