TULSA, Oklahoma – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK), the state's oldest and largest private health insurer and RespirCare, a leading healthcare provider treating respiratory illnesses, are working together to offer access to same-day care to patients including BCBSOK members with respiratory illnesses in Tulsa and the surrounding areas.
BCBSOK members in Blue Traditional, Blue Choice PPO, Blue Preferred, Blue Advantage PPO, and Medicare Advantage PPO plans have access to RespirCare at in-network benefit levels. Members who see an in-network health care professional can get the most out of their benefit plan.
“Our partnership with RespirCare is a valuable resource for our Tulsa-area members. Last year more than 2,200 members in the Tulsa area were reported to have visited an urgent care facility or office visit with conditions related to respiratory illnesses,” said Joseph R. Cunningham, M.D., president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. “It’s important to us that our members have access to the right care at the right place with the lowest out-of-pocket cost for them.”
In addition to treating a wide spectrum of respiratory illnesses, RespirCare provides innovative Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) therapy to patients in its Tulsa clinic, ultimately reducing emergency department and hospital visits. This can improve patients’ ability to effectively manage COPD symptoms.
“We are committed to providing patients with respiratory illnesses immediate relief at an affordable price,” said Dr. Mark Boomer, founder and CEO of RespirCare, pulmonologist and critical care physician. “RespirCare is reshaping the approach to treating COPD and establishing a standard of care for all respiratory illnesses that can be used as a model nationwide.”
RespirCare opened its Tulsa clinic in May 2019. Licensed medical professionals treat common-to-complex respiratory illnesses, providing convenient access to high-quality and cost-effective health care. RespirCare serves the Tulsa area and treats common to complex ailments and performs a variety of medical procedures, including:
- Allergies
- Asthma, Wheezing, Shortness of breath
- Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP)
- Bronchitis
- COPD
- COVID-19
- Colds, Cough, Flu, Sinus congestion
- Emphysema
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Oxygen recertification
- Pneumonia
- Sleep apnea
- Surgical pulmonary pre-op evaluations
- Thoracentesis
- Workup of pleural effusion
RespirCare services are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. RespirCare is in the South Riverside area, making this a convenient location for BCBSOK members in Tulsa and the surrounding areas.
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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
Throughout its 80-year history, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma has been committed to meeting the health care financing needs of Oklahomans. As the state's oldest and largest private health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma provides health care benefit plans for more than 800,000 Oklahomans. For more information, visit bcbsok.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Montana and New Mexico), the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
About RespirCare
Founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, RespirCare is a novel clinic dedicated to treating acute and chronic respiratory conditions, from minor to the most severe. Treatment is available at RespirCare by appointment and as a walk-in clinic to ensure immediate care is available when patients need it most. The clinic offers a patient-centric waiting environment with patient wellbeing and comfort in mind. A separate waiting room is available for contagious patients, and oxygen outlets are available throughout. RespirCare offers regular and after-hours care for no more than the cost of a visit to your regular pulmonary specialist, avoiding the costs of an emergency department visit.