From Your Perspective

Employer Resources Series: Insure Oklahoma – The People Perspective

Written by Admin | 5/15/23 8:45 PM
 
Health insurance is expensive and can be hard to afford for employees with moderate income, as well the employer portion of the premium can hit a small business just as hard.  To help offset the cost in our state, the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority administers the Insure Oklahoma program. The program reimburses employers up to 60% of employee’s health insurance premiums monthly, clients have experienced up to $150,000/year in savings by participation in this program. Some highlights are:

Employer qualifications:

  • Have up to 250 (for profit) or 500 (non-profit) employees
  • Be located in Oklahoma
  • Offer a qualified benefit plan
  • Contribute at least 25 percent of premiums for qualified employees
  • Health insurance must be billed from the first of calendar month to the end of the calendar month (not mid-month)

Employee qualifications:

  • Be between the ages of 19 and 64
  • Be an Oklahoma resident and meet citizenship guidelines
  • Have an annual gross household income within the Employer-Sponsored Insurance income guidelines
  • Can Not be enrolled in Medicare or SoonerCare (Medicaid) or a Marketplace plan
  • Contribute up to 15 percent of monthly premium cost for self, and up to 15 percent of premium cost for qualified dependents (not to exceed three percent of annual gross household income)

There are no enrollment periods or deadlines. Businesses may apply at any time, year around. Payments are reimbursed on a monthly basis by direct deposit. If you would like more information about how to administer this program to your staff, The People Perspective can help you navigate.

 

Written by: Elizabeth Callahan, SHRM-CP
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