Oklahoma Health Care Authority

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) is a state government agency responsible for administering the state’s Medicaid program. OHCA’s mission is to “responsibly purchase state and federally-funded health care in the most efficient and comprehensive manner possible; to analyze and recommend strategies for optimizing the accessibility and quality of health care; and, to cultivate relationships to improve the health outcomes of Oklahomans.”

OHCA was created by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1993; until its creation, the state’s Medicaid program was operated by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, which has retained responsibility for determining Medicaid eligibility and operating certain Medicaid waiver programs. OHCA launched SoonerCare, a program covering most Medicaid recipients through versions of managed care, in 1995.

The Director of OHCA is appointed and can be replaced by the Governor. Ellen Beuttner was appointed as OHCA’s CEO by Gov. Kevin Stitt in August 2023, replacing Kevin Corbett. The agency is overseen by a nine-member Board, with five appointments made by the Governor and two each by the House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tem. There are also several advisory board and committees that provide input to the agency.

OHCA had a total budget of $9.9 billion in FY 2023, of which $1.3 billion were state funds appropriated to the agency.