We're BlueService... BlueService is the difference that makes the difference.

BlueNews

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma leads way in insuring Oklahoma through O-EPIC
Hundreds benefit from affordable insurance offered to Oklahoma small businesses.

TULSA, OKLA. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma in partnership with the state’s new premium assistance program is leading the way in helping small businesses decrease the number of uninsured Oklahomans.

The Oklahoma Employer/Employee Partnership for Insurance Coverage (O-EPIC) Premium Assistance Program assists Oklahoma small business owners in providing health insurance for employees. Since November, 181 small businesses have qualified for the O-EPIC program and more than 91 percent of these businesses have chosen a qualified health plan offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. Many of these employers previously did not offer health insurance to their employees.

Lack of health insurance is a significant problem in Oklahoma. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, approximately 20 percent of the state’s population, or one in five Oklahomans, does not have health insurance.

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma understands the impact rising health care costs have on the ability of all Oklahomans to afford quality health care coverage, especially those people who work for and operate small businesses,” said Wyndham Kidd, president, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. “Blue Cross and Blue Shield supports the O-EPIC program and its approach to addressing the number of uninsured Oklahomans.”

The O-EPIC program is available to all Oklahoma employers with 25 or fewer employees, including those that currently offer health insurance coverage. Premium assistance is available for employees and their spouses with annual household incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. For example, a family of four must have a total income at or below $35,797.

Participating employers, as well as employees, are required to pay a portion of the premiums and employees are responsible for any applicable deductibles and co-payments. Employers are required to contribute 25 percent of the premium amounts while individuals pay up to 15 percent and state and federal governments pay the remaining share.

O-EPIC is the first phase of the statewide Insure Oklahoma initiative.  Revenues from the state’s tobacco tax increase, which was approved in November 2004, help fund the O-EPIC program.

Oklahoma Health Care Authority officials said the program could help an estimated 70,000 Oklahomans who are currently uninsured.

Applications for the O-EPIC program are available online at www.oepic.ok.gov.

As the state’s oldest and largest private health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma has provided coverage to Oklahomans for more than 65 years. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information about Blue Cross and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, visit www.bcbsok.com.