Oklahoma Health Care Authority
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OKHCA) is an agency
of the government of Oklahoma
responsible for purchasing health insurance
benefits for Oklahoma's state employees and for the state's Medicaid
recipients. The Authority is the state level counter-part to the national Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
. The Authority is led by a Board of Directors, composed of seven members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
, the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate
, and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
. The Board in turn appoints the Administrator of the Authority, who serves as the chief executive officer of the Authority.
The Authority was created in 1993 during the term of Governor David Walters
.
, the Chair of the Board of Directors, and the Administrator/Chief Executive Officer of the Authority. Under Governor of Oklahoma
Brad Henry
, the Secretary of Health is Terri White, the Chair of the Board is Charles Ed McFall and Michael Fogarty is the Administrator/Chief Executive Officer.
, two appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate
, and two appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
. At least two of the members appointed by the Governor must be consumers of Medicaid
. All other Appointed members must have experience with medical care, health care services, health care delivery, health care finance, health insurance or managed health care. Each Board member serves a four-year term. In making the appointments, the appointing authority is to give consideration to urban, rural, gender and minority representation.
As of 2009, the current members of the Board are:
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
of the government of Oklahoma
Government of Oklahoma
The government of the US State of Oklahoma, established by the Oklahoma Constitution, is a republican democracy modeled after the Federal government of the United States. The state government has three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial...
responsible for purchasing health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
benefits for Oklahoma's state employees and for the state's Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
recipients. The Authority is the state level counter-part to the national Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services , previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration , is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with state governments to administer...
. The Authority is led by a Board of Directors, composed of seven members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
, the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate
President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate
The President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate is the second-highest-ranking official of the Oklahoma Senate and the highest-ranking State Senator. The Oklahoma Constitution states the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma serves ex officio as President of the Senate, and is the highest-ranking...
, and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Speaker exercises administrative and procedural functions in the House, but most importantly remains a representative of his...
. The Board in turn appoints the Administrator of the Authority, who serves as the chief executive officer of the Authority.
The Authority was created in 1993 during the term of Governor David Walters
David Walters
David Lee Walters was the 24th Governor of Oklahoma from 1991 to 1995.-Biography:Walters was born near Canute, Oklahoma. He graduated as valedictorian from Canute High School in 1969. He later graduated from University of Oklahoma in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering...
.
Leadership
The Authority is led by the Secretary of HealthOklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of...
, the Chair of the Board of Directors, and the Administrator/Chief Executive Officer of the Authority. Under Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
, the Secretary of Health is Terri White, the Chair of the Board is Charles Ed McFall and Michael Fogarty is the Administrator/Chief Executive Officer.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Authority, which directs the actions and oversees the operation of the Authority. The Board is composed of seven members, with three appointed by the Governor of OklahomaGovernor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
, two appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate
President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate
The President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate is the second-highest-ranking official of the Oklahoma Senate and the highest-ranking State Senator. The Oklahoma Constitution states the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma serves ex officio as President of the Senate, and is the highest-ranking...
, and two appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Speaker exercises administrative and procedural functions in the House, but most importantly remains a representative of his...
. At least two of the members appointed by the Governor must be consumers of Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
. All other Appointed members must have experience with medical care, health care services, health care delivery, health care finance, health insurance or managed health care. Each Board member serves a four-year term. In making the appointments, the appointing authority is to give consideration to urban, rural, gender and minority representation.
As of 2009, the current members of the Board are:
- Charles Ed McFall - Chairman, appointed by Speaker of the House
- Tony Armstrong - Vice-Chairman, appointed by Senate President pro tempore
- Bill Anoatubby - appointed by Governor
- Sandra Langenkamp - appointed by Governor
- Melvin R. McVay Jr. - appointed by Senate President pro tempore
- George Miller - appointed by Speaker of the House
- Lyle Roggow - appointed by Governor
Organization
The Authority is divided into four service branches: Soonercare Operations, Financial Services, Information Services, and Legal Services.- Office of the Administrator - led by the Administrator of the Authority, immediate staff of the Administrator and provides policy direction for Authority and support to Board of Directors
- Administrative Services - led by Administrator's Chief of Staff
- Civil Rights/Freedom of Information Act Office
- Policy, Planning and Integrity Office - led by Deputy Chief Executive Officer
- External Relations and Communications Office - led by Deputy Chief Executive Officer
- Soonercare Operations - led by State Medicaid Director
- Medical Professional Support
- Program Operations and Benefits
- Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement
- Opportunities for Living Life
- Insure Oklahoma
- Financial Services - led by Chief Financial Officer
- Information Services - led by Chief Information Officer
- Legal Services - led by General Counsel
Supporting Agencies
- Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board
- Advisory Committee on Medical Care for Public Assistance Recipients