Oklahoma Health Insurance

How healthy is living in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma made progress in the most recent ranking in the most the healthiest states in the nation, climbing four spots. "America's Health Rankings (TM) 2008," an annual study by United Health Foundation rated Oklahoma 43rd of the 50 states in 2008.

The state's best and worst category rankings:

• Prevalence of binge drinking – 11th
• Public health funding – 13th
• Lack of health insurance – 42nd
• Prevalence of obesity – 43rd
• Occupational fatalities – 44th
• Poor physical health days – 45th
• Premature death – 45th
• Preventable hospitalizations – 45th
• Poor mental health days – 47th
• Prevalence of smoking – 48th
• Cardiovascular deaths – 49th
• Number of primary care physicians – 49th

See the United Health Foundation's latest findings on Oklahoma.

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Does Oklahoma have a risk pool for the uninsurable?

Oklahoma Health Insurance High Risk Pool
Toll-free 1-800-255-6065 or (913) 362-0040

Risk pools are state-sponsored programs to help people with a history of medical problems in their family to purchase coverage. These pools are for people who can afford to buy health insurance, but are not able to get underwritten in the private market because of a pre-existing health condition. These programs can vary significantly from state-to-state in price, benefits and number of people served. Often insurance companies doing business in the state are required to contribute to the poolto keep it in the black. In the best cases they allow people to be able to switch jobs or become self-employed without the fear of losing their health insurance coverage. Find more on risk pools here.

Mini-meds a guaranteed-issue option for those who are medically uninsurable

An option for the medically uninsurable is a guaranteed-issue mini-med health insurance plan. There is no underwriting and no health questions are asked.

These plans provide basic coverage but are not designed to help with catastrophic expenses. They can often count as creditable coverage, eliminating the waiting period for pre-existing conditions if you later move to an employer-based plan. Read more here.

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Cover The Uninsured's guide on finding health insurance in Oklahoma

Cover The Uninsured is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and to demand solutions from our nation's leaders. Read more information on its efforts. It is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

• Cover The Uninsured's facts on the uninsured in Oklahoma and all other states.
• Its guide on how to find health insurance in Oklahoma.
• Materiales En Español – Guías para encontrar cobertura de seguro de salud.

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USNews health insurance rankings for Oklahoma

US News does an annual ranking of what it considers the best health insurance plans in each state. Visit its reports on various health insurance or medical insurance plans being offered in Oklahoma.

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Official State Goverment Sites with Oklahoma Health Insurance Information

http://www.ohca.state.ok.us/

Oklahoma Health Care Authority -- the primary entity in the state of Oklahoma charged with controlling costs of state-purchased health care.

SoonerCare -- SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid) is a health coverage program jointly funded by the federal and state government. This program helps pay some or all medical bills for many people who can't afford them.