In response to two reform bills signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, some dentists in Oklahoma have stopped accepting SoonerCare, the state's Medicaid program, Tahlequah Daily Press reported June 10.
SB 1337 and SB 1396 will create a new healthcare model in the state by authorizing the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to contract in-state companies for SoonerCare delivery instead of insurance companies outside of Oklahoma.
Premiere Dentistry in Tahlequah is no longer accepting new SoonerCare patients. Downtown Family Dentistry, also in Tahlequah, will not take SoonerCare starting Jan. 1 because it is not able to keep up with the demand, Tiffany Rott, the dental practice's officer manager, told the news organization.
The new model should take effect no later than Oct. 1, 2023.