Health Care

The rising costs of Oklahoma’s Medicaid program

October 8, 2020

Kaitlyn Finley

Over the past two decades, costs for Oklahoma’s Medicaid program have increased dramatically. In 1999, Oklahoma’s total Medicaid’s expenditures were $2.24 billion. Last year that number reached $5.76 billion, a 157 percent increase. (These figures are adjusted for inflation and expenditures include federal matching dollars.)

Moreover, per person costs have increased by 29 percent.

By the end of June 2021, total program expenditures for fiscal year 2020 likely will have increased considerably due to projected higher enrollment resulting from the Covid-related economic fallout.

And beginning next summer, able-bodied adults will be eligible to receive Medicaid services due to the passage of State Question 802. State officials have projected this expansion of Medicaid will increase expenditures by more than a $1 billion, with the state paying for up to $246 million annually.