OHCA Policies and Rules
317:55-3-2. Enrollment and disenrollment process
[Revised 07-01-23]
(a) Enrollment process. The OHCA beneficiary support system will provide choice counseling to all potential Enrollees at the time of initial enrollment, during the annual open enrollment period and for Enrollees who disenroll from a CE or DBM for good cause as described in the Contract and in this Section. The OHCA, or its designee, will provide information about individual CE or DBM benefit structures, services, and network providers, as well as information about other Medicaid programs as requested by the Eligible to assist the Eligible in making an informed selection.
(1) Selection/auto assignment. During the application process, at OHCA's discretion, an Applicant may have up to sixty (60) days to select a contracted CE and DBM of their choice. Applicants who are Eligible to choose a CE and DBM and fail to make an election on the SoonerCare application, within the allotted timeframe, will be assigned to the CE and DBM that is due next to receive an auto assignment.
(2) Exemptions to auto-assignments
(A) The OHCA will not make auto-assignments to the CE if:
(i) The CE's maximum enrollment has been capped and actual enrollment has reached ninety-five percent (95%) of the cap;
(ii) The CE has been excluded from receiving new enrollment due to the application of non-compliance remedies; or
(iii) The CE has failed to meet readiness review requirements.
(B) The OHCA will not make auto-assignments to the DMB if:
(i) The DBM's maximum enrollment has been capped and actual enrollment has reached ninety-five percent (95%) of the cap;
(ii) The DBM has been excluded from receiving new enrollment due to the imposition of administrative remedies; or
(iii) The DBM has failed to meet readiness review requirements.
(3) Enrollment effective date
(A) Eligibles, with the exception of deemed newborns, who select or are assigned to a CE and/or DBM from the first day of the month through the fifteenth day of the month shall be enrolled effective on the first day of the following month.
(B) Eligibles who select or are assigned to a CE and/or DBM on the sixteenth (16th) day of the month through the last day of the month will be enrolled effective on the first day of the second following month.
(C) Prior to these enrollment dates, most Eligibles will be covered by a fee-for-service payment structure administered by OHCA.
(D) Deemed newborns eligible for the CE and/or DBM shall be enrolled effective as of the date of birth, if the newborn's mother also is enrolled in the SoonerSelect program.
(E) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the effective date of enrollment with the CE or DBM shall be the date recorded on the outbound ANSI ASC X 12 834 electronic transaction sent by OHCA.
(4) Enrollment lock-in period. An Enrollee may, within the first ninety (90) days of initial enrollment, request to change enrollment without cause from the CE and/or DBM, or during the ninety (90) days following the date OHCA sends the Enrollee notice of initial enrollment, whichever is later. Enrollees will also be permitted to change CEs and/or DBMs, without cause, at least once every twelve (12) months during the open enrollment period. After the disenrollment period from the CE or DBM has lapsed, the Enrollee will remain enrolled with the CE or DBM until the next annual open enrollment period, unless:
(A) The SoonerSelect Medical Enrollee:
(i) Is disenrolled due to loss of SoonerCare eligibility;
(ii) Becomes a foster child under custody of the state;
(iii) Becomes juvenile justice involved under the custody of the state;
(iv) Is a former foster care or child receiving adoption assistance and opts to enroll in the SoonerSelect Children's Specialty program;
(v) Demonstrates good cause under the following conditions:
(I) The Enrollee moves out of the service area;
(II) The Enrollee requires specialized care for a chronic condition and the Enrollee or Enrollee's representative, the CE, OHCA and receiving CE agree that assignment to the receiving CE is in the Enrollee's best interest;
(III) The plan does not cover the service the Enrollee seeks, because of moral or religious objections;
(IV) The Enrollee needs related services to be performed at the same time; not all related services are available within the CE's network; and the Enrollee's primary care provider or another provider determines that receiving the services separately would subject the Enrollee to unnecessary risk;
(V) For other reasons, including a filed and prevailed grievance related to poor quality of care, lack of access to services covered under the Contract, or lack of access to providers experienced in dealing with the Enrollee's oral health care needs or other matters deemed sufficient to warrant disenrollment; and
(VI) The Enrollee has been enrolled in error, as determined by the OHCA.
(vi) Experiences a temporary loss of eligibility or enrollment which caused the Enrollee to miss the annual disenrollment period, then the Enrollee may disenroll without cause upon reenrollment; or
(vii) The OHCA has imposed intermediate sanctions on the CE and allows Enrollees to disenroll without cause.
(B) The SoonerSelect Dental Enrollee:
(i) Is disenrolled due to loss of SoonerCare eligibility;
(ii) Demonstrates good cause under the following conditions:
(I) The Enrollee moves out of the service area;
(II) The plan does not cover the service the Enrollee seeks, because of moral or religious objections;
(III) The Enrollee needs related services to be performed at the same time; not all related services are available within the DBM's network; and the Enrollee's primary care dental provider or another provider determines that receiving the services separately would subject the Enrollee to unnecessary risk;
(IV) For other reasons, including a filed and prevailed grievance related to poor quality of care, lack of access to services covered under the Contract, or lack of access to providers experienced in dealing with the Enrollee's oral health care needs or other matters deemed sufficient to warrant disenrollment; and
(V) The Enrollee has been enrolled in error, as determined by the OHCA.
(iii) Experiences a temporary loss of eligibility or enrollment which caused the Enrollee to miss the annual disenrollment period, then the Enrollee may disenroll without cause upon reenrollment; or
(iv) The DBM is terminated.
(5) Annual and special enrollment periods. Sixty (60) days prior to the start of the Enrollee's annual open enrollment period, the Enrollee shall be notified of the option to maintain enrollment with the current CE and/or DBM or to enroll with a different CE and/or DBM. OHCA, at its sole discretion, may schedule a special open enrollment period, under the following circumstances:
(A) In the event of the early termination of a CE or DBM under the process described in the Contract; or
(B) The loss of a major participating provider(s) places the CE or DBM at risk of failing to meet service accessibility standards and the CE or DBM does not have an acceptable plan for mitigating the loss or finding of non-compliance.
(6) Enrollment caps. OHCA, at its sole discretion, may impose a cap on the CE or DBM's enrollment, in response to a request by the CE or DBM or as part of a corrective action in accordance to the respective Contract.
(b) Disenrollment. The OHCA shall have sole authority to grant or deny a disenrollment request from the Enrollee, and/or CE or DBM.
(1) CE or DBM-requested disenrollment. Pursuant to 42 C.F.R. § 438.56(b)(2), the CE or DBM cannot request a disenrollment based on adverse change in the member's health status or utilization of medically necessary services, diminished mental capacity, or uncooperative or disruptive behavior resulting from their special needs, except when their continued Enrollment with the Contractor seriously impairs the Contractor's ability to furnish services to either this particular Enrollee or other Enrollees.
(A) The CE may only request disenrollment of the Enrollee only for good cause. The following actions, if found by OHCA, comprise good cause:
(i) The Enrollee requires specialized care for a chronic condition and the Enrollee or Enrollee's representative, the CE, OHCA and receiving CE agree that assignment to the receiving CE is in the Enrollee's best interest;
(ii) The Enrollee has been enrolled in error, as determined by OHCA;
(iii) The Enrollee has exhibited disruptive behaviors to the extent the CE cannot effectively manage their care, and the CE has made all reasonable efforts to accommodate the Enrollee; or
(iv) The Enrollee has committed fraud, including but not limited to, loaning an identification (ID) card for use by another person.
(B) The DBM may only request disenrollment of the Enrollee only for good cause. The following actions, if found by OHCA, comprise good cause:
(i) The Enrollee has been enrolled in error, as determined by OHCA;
(ii) The Enrollee has exhibited disruptive behaviors to the extent the DBM cannot effectively manage their care, and the DBM has made all reasonable efforts to accommodate the Enrollee; or
(iii) The Enrollee has committed fraud, including but not limited to, loaning an ID card for use by another person.
(2) Enrollee-requested disenrollment. Enrollees shall seek redress through the CE's or DBM's grievance process before OHCA will make a determination on an Enrollee's request for disenrollment. The CE or DBM shall accept Enrollee requests for disenrollment orally or in writing. The CE or DBM shall complete a review of the request within ten (10) days of the Enrollee filing the grievance. If the Enrollee remains dissatisfied with the result of the grievance process, the CE or DBM shall refer the disenrollment request to OHCA. The Contractor shall send records gathered during the grievance process to OHCA to facilitate OHCA's decision-making process. Disenrollment requests will be adjudicated by OHCA and, if approved, will become effective on a date established by OHCA.
(A) The Enrollee may request disenrollment from the CE or DBM as allowed by 42 C.F.R. § 438.56(c).
(B) An Enrollee may request disenrollment from the CE or DBM at any time based on any cause listed at 42 C.F.R. § 438.56(d)(2).
(C) An Enrollee may request disenrollment at any time in accordance with (a)(4)(A)(v)(I)-(VI) and (B)(ii)(I)-(V) of this Section and the applicable Contract.
(3) Disenrollment by OHCA. The CE or DBM shall report to OHCA, within five (5) business days of learning of any change in an Enrollee's status affecting the Enrollee's eligibility.
(A) The OHCA will initiate disenrollment of SoonerSelect Medical Enrollees under the following circumstances:
(i) Loss of eligibility for Medicaid;
(ii) Transition to a SoonerCare eligibility group excluded from the SoonerSelect Medical program;
(iii) Enrollee becomes enrolled in Medicare;
(iv) Death;
(v) Enrollee becomes a foster child under the custody of the state;
(vi) Enrollee becomes juvenile justice involved under the custody of the state;
(vii) The Enrollee becomes an inmate of a public institution;
(viii) The Enrollee commits fraud or provides fraudulent information; or
(ix) Disenrollment is ordered by a hearing officer or court of law.
(B) The OHCA will initiate disenrollment of SoonerSelect Dental Enrollees under the following circumstances:
(i) Loss of eligibility for Medicaid;
(ii) Transition to a SoonerCare eligibility group excluded from the SoonerSelect Dental program;
(iii) Enrollee becomes enrolled in Medicare;
(iv) Death;
(v) The Enrollee becomes an inmate of a public institution;
(vi) The Enrollee commits fraud or provides fraudulent information; or
(vii) Disenrollment is ordered by a hearing officer or court of law.
(4) Disenrollment effective date. Consistent with 42 C.F.R. § 438.56(e), except as provided for below, and unless OHCA determines that a delay would have an adverse effect on an Enrollee's health, it is OHCA's intent that a disenrollment shall be effective on the first day of the second following month.
(A) Grievance resolution for poor quality of care, lack of access to services covered under the Contract or lack of access to providers experienced in dealing with the Enrollee's health care needs or other matters deemed sufficient to warrant disenrollment under (b)(2) of this Section must be completed within this timeframe. If the CE fails to complete the grievance process in time to permit disenrollment by OHCA, the disenrollment shall be considered approved for the effective date that would have been established had the CE complied with this timeframe. Disenrollment for any of the following reasons shall be effective as of the date that the Enrollee's SoonerSelect Medical program eligibility status changes:
(i) Loss of eligibility for Medicaid;
(ii) Transition to a SoonerCare eligibility group excluded from the SoonerSelect program;
(iii) Enrollee becomes a foster child under the custody of the state;
(iv) Enrollee becomes JJ Involved under the custody of the state;
(v) Enrollee becomes eligible for Medicare;
(vi) Death;
(vii) Enrollee becomes an inmate of a public institution;
(viii) Enrollee commits fraud or provides fraudulent information;
(ix) Disenrollment is ordered by a hearing officer or court of law; or
(x) Enrollee requiring long-term care.
(I) Enrollees requiring long-term care in a nursing facility or ICF-IID shall be disenrolled from the CE when the level of care determination is finalized.
(II) For additional information regarding nursing facility and ICF-IID stays, refer to the Contract.
(B) Grievance resolution for poor quality of care, lack of access to services covered under the Contract or lack of access to providers experienced in dealing with the SoonerSelect Dental Enrollee's oral health care needs, or other matters deemed sufficient to warrant disenrollment under (b)(2) of this Section must be completed within this timeframe. If the Contractor fails to complete the grievance process in time to permit disenrollment by OHCA, the disenrollment shall be considered approved for the effective date that would have been established had the Contractor complied with this timeframe. Disenrollment for any of the following reasons shall be effective as of the date that the SoonerSelect Dental Enrollee's SoonerSelect Dental program eligibility status changes:
(i) Loss of eligibility for Medicaid;
(ii) Transition to a SoonerCare eligibility group excluded from the SoonerSelect Dental program;
(iii) SoonerSelect Dental Enrollee becomes eligible for Medicare;
(iv) Death;
(v) SoonerSelect Dental Enrollee becomes an inmate of a public institution;
(vi) SoonerSelect Dental Enrollee commits Fraud or provides fraudulent information;
(vii) Disenrollment is ordered by a hearing officer or court of law; or
(viii) SoonerSelect Dental Enrollees requiring long-term care in a nursing facility or ICF-IID shall be disenrolled from the Contractor when the level of care determination being done by the SoonerSelect or SoonerSelect Children's Specialty CEs is complete.
(C) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the effective date of disenrollment from the Contractor shall be the date recorded on the outbound ANSI ASC X 12 834 electronic transaction sent by OHCA.
(c) Retroactive dual eligibility. Dual eligibles are excluded from the SoonerSelect program. SoonerSelect Enrollees who become dual eligible individuals will be disenrolled as of their Medicare eligibility effective date.
(1) In the event a SoonerSelect Enrollee becomes retroactively Medicare eligible, the CE or DBM shall recover claims payments made to providers during the months of retroactive Medicare eligibility.
(2) The CE or DBM shall also notify the provider of the requirement to submit the claim to Medicare for reimbursement.
(3) OHCA will recoup the capitation payments paid for months of retroactive Medicare eligibility.
(d) Re-enrollment following loss of eligibility. Enrollees who lose and regain eligibility for SoonerSelect Medical or Dental program within a period of sixty (60) days or less will be re-enrolled automatically with their prior CE and/or DBM unless the CE and/or DBM is otherwise suspended or excluded from receiving new Enrollees. Re-enrolled Enrollees will have the right to change CE/DBM in accordance with this Section and the Contract.
(e) Eligibles voluntarily opting out of SoonerSelect Children's Specialty program. FFC and children receiving adoption assistance shall be enrolled in the SoonerSelect Children's Specialty program. These Eligibles may opt-out of enrollment in the Children's Specialty program; however, the legal guardian of the Eligible will be required to enroll the Eligible with a CE.
(f) Non-discrimination. The CE or DBM may not refuse an assignment or seek to disenroll an Enrollee or otherwise discriminate against Eligible to enroll on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, health status, need for medical services, or disability and may not use any policy or practice that has the effect of discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The Contractor also may not discriminate against an Enrollee on the basis of expectations that the Enrollee will require frequent or high-cost care, or on the basis of health status or need for health care services or due to an adverse change in the Enrollee's health in enrollment, disenrollment, or re-enrollment. If the CE or DBM fails to comply with OAC 317:55-3-2, the OHCA may impose any or all the CE intermediate sanctions, found at OAC 317:55-5-10 and the CE Contract, or DBM administrative remedies, found at OAC 317:55-5-11 and the DBM Contract.
Disclaimer. The OHCA rules found on this Web site are unofficial. The official rules are published by the Oklahoma Secretary of State Office of Administrative Rules as Title 317 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code. To order an official copy of these rules, contact the Office of Administrative Rules at (405) 521-4911.
