Recent Articles

Copayment

A copayment (or co-payment, or copay) is a payment defined in an insurance policy and paid by the insured each time a medical service is accessed. For example, some plans will charge a $4 copayment for a prescription medication, or… Read more [More...]

FQHCs (Federally-Qualified Health Centers)

Federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs) are community-based health care providers that meet various qualifications that make them eligible for certain federal grants. FQHCs must serve an underserved area or population, offer a sliding fee scale, provide comprehensive services, have an ongoing… Read more [More...]

Medicare

Medicare is a national social insurance program administered by the federal government. Medicare provides access to health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older who have paid into it (i.e. paid income tax in the US). Medicare is also available… Read more [More...]

In The Know: State business tax breaks more than double in four years

In The Know is a daily synopsis of Oklahoma policy-related news and blogs. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. State… Read more [More...]

Coverage crater

The ‘coverage crater’ refers to the gap in eligibility for health insurance for indivdiuals in states that have chosen not to expand Medicaid who earn too much for traditional Medicaid but not enough to qualify for subsidies on the online… Read more [More...]

Dual-eligible

The term “dual eligible” refers to people who are covered at the same time by both Medicare and Medicaid. As most people on Medicare are 65 or older, dual eligibles are typically both elderly and low-income. Depending on which one… Read more [More...]

Medicaid waiver

Waivers are way for states to test and implement new ways of administering Medicaid or CHIP services. If states want to change aspects of their Medicaid program beyond what is typically allowed, they have to get approval from the Centers… Read more [More...]

Individual mandate

An individual mandate is a requirement that all persons procure a particular good or service. In health care, it referred to the controversial provision within the Affordable Care Act that most Americans, with some exceptions, were required to carry health… Read more [More...]

Coinsurance

Coinsurance (or co-insurance) is an insurance term that means splitting or spreading risk among multiple parties. Expressed as a percentage, it describes what portion of health care costs will be paid by an insurance company after the insured person has… Read more [More...]

Medicaid Expansion

One of the primary provisions of the Affordable Care Act gave states the option to expand their Medicaid eligibility to include individuals below 138 percent of the federal poverty level ($20,120 per year for one person or $41,400 for a… Read more [More...]