More than 10,000 beneficiaries enrolled in Oklahoma insurance premium assistance program

Enrollment in the Oklahoma Employer/Employee Partnership for Insurance Coverage, the state's health insurance premium assistance program, has exceeded 10,000 beneficiaries for the first time in the program's three-year history, the Oklahoman reports.

The most current count of beneficiaries is 10,776, up from 1,557 beneficiaries 15 months ago. State residents with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible for the program, and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority has requested permission from the federal government to increase the income eligibility threshold to 250% of the poverty level.

Under the employer portion of the program, which began in 2005, the authority provides subsidies to businesses with up to 50 employees to offset the costs of health plan premiums. Employees contribute a maximum of 15% of the cost of premiums. The authority also administers the portion of the program that provides premium assistance for individual policies, which started in March 2007. The authority contributes 60% or more of premium costs. The program is funded through state tobacco taxes (Raymond, Oklahoman, 5/14).