Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Sequoyah Memorial Office Building, 2400 N. Lincoln Blvd. • Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-3646 • Fax (405) 521-6684 • Internet: www.okdhs.org
317:45-1-2. Program limitations
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Revised 3-1-09


(a) The Insure Oklahoma/O-EPIC program is contingent upon sufficient funding that is collected and dispersed through a revolving fund within the State Treasury designated as the "Health Employee and Economy Improvement Act (HEEIA) Revolving Fund".  This fund is a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations.

  • (1) All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are budgeted and expended by the OHCA to implement the program.
  • (2) The program is funded through a portion of monthly proceeds from the Tobacco Tax, O.S.S. § 68-302-5 et seq., collected and dispersed through the HEEIA revolving fund, pursuant to Title 68, Section 302-5 (B.1. and D.1.) and Section 402-3 (B.1 and C.1.) of the Oklahoma Statutes.
  • (3) The program is limited in scope such that available funding is not exceeded.  Available funding includes the estimated annual deposits from tax collections, accrued interest, federal matching funds and any other revenue source deposited in the HEEIA Revolving Fund for the purpose of this program.  If at any time it becomes apparent there is risk the available funding may be exceeded, OHCA must take action to ensure the Insure Oklahoma/O-EPIC program continues to operate within its fiscal capacity.
    • (A) Insure Oklahoma/O-EPIC may limit eligibility based on:
      • (i) the federally-approved capacity of the Insure Oklahoma/O-EPIC services for the Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability (HIFA) Waiver/1115 Waiver; and
      • (ii) Tobacco Tax collections.
    • (B) The Insure Oklahoma/O-EPIC program may limit eligibility when the utilization of services is projected to exceed the spending authority, or, may suspend new eligibility determinations instead, establishing a waiting list.
      • (i) Applicants, not previously enrolled and participating in the program, submitting new applications for the Insure Oklahoma/O-EPIC program are placed on a waiting list.  These applications are date and time stamped when received by the TPA.  Applications, with the exception of college students, are identified by region and Insure Oklahoma/O-EPIC program.  Regions are established based on population density statistics as determined through local and national data and may be periodically adjusted to assure statewide availability.  Insure Oklahoma/O-EPIC program size is determined by OHCA and may be periodically adjusted. 
      • (ii) The waiting list utilizes a "first in - first out" method of selecting eligible applicants by region and program.
      • (iii) When an applicant is determined eligible and moves from the waiting list to active participation, the applicant must submit a new application.
      • (iv) Enrolled applicants who are currently participating in the program are not subject to the waiting list.
      • (v) For approved employers, if the employer hires a new employee after the employer's program eligibility begins, the new employee is allowed to participate during the employer's current eligibility period.
      • (vi) For approved employers, if the employer has an employee who has a Qualifying Event after the employer's program eligibility begins, the employee is allowed to make changes pertaining to the Qualifying Event.

(b) College students eligibility and participation in the Insure Oklahoma/O-EPIC program is contingent upon sufficient funding from the Oklahoma legislature.  This funding is separate from the funding described in subsection (a) of this Section.