Becky Mannel, BS, IBCLC, Co-Chair, Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates is pleased to announce that as of October 2, 2007, Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) will reimburse for outpatient services provided by lactation consultants. For all the details read on…

“It’s not every day that one gets a call from the state’s Medicaid authority asking what they can do to help improve breastfeeding rates! Thus began a series of meetings to discuss various options for increasing both initiation and duration of breastfeeding rates in Oklahoma. In a first, fairly quickly implemented step, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority approved reimbursement for outpatient lactation consults provided by board certified lactation consultants or IBCLC, RLCs. It’s been a busy few years in Oklahoma with several initiatives from the Oklahoma State Department of Health and recent breastfeeding legislation helping to make Oklahoma a more breastfeeding supportive culture and hopefully beginning to impact our sadly low breastfeeding rates.

On October 2, 2007, Gov. Brad Henry signed rules developed by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to reimburse for outpatient lactation consultant services provided to pregnant and post partum Medicaid recipients. In Oklahoma, Medicaid funding is managed by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) and qualified Oklahomans are enrolled into SoonerCare. Under this new benefit a maximum of 6 sessions per pregnancy will be reimbursable and must be provided by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, Registered Lactation Consultants (IBCLC, RLC). The new ruling approved by OHCA September 13, becomes effective December 1, 2007. The service is designed to help women who are anticipated to or are experiencing problems with breast feeding and is not designed to be basic breastfeeding education. The service may be performed in her home or in an office or other suitable outpatient location.

Soon after OHCA approved this new benefit, the Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates (COBA) hosted a meeting attended by Terrie Fritz from OHCA, IBCLCs and other interested parties from all over the state to learn how to contract with OHCA to provide this service. IBCLCs can provide outpatient services as individual providers and/or as part of a group, such as through their hospital or clinic. Patients can self-refer or be referred by their health care provider. We are excited at the opportunity to increase access to lactation care and services for Oklahoma mothers and children.

COBA gives a special thank you to the following people who helped make this new benefit available including Terrie Fritz, OHCA Child Health Services Coordinator, Lynn Mitchell, MD, OHCA Medical Director, and Mike Fogarty, OHCA Chief Executive Officer.

We know other states around the country are interested in providing the same type of service to their breastfeeding families. For more information, please visit the OHCA website or contact:

Rosanne Smith: RosanneS@health.ok.gov

Crystal Stearns: Crystal.Stearns@Mercy.Net

Becky Mannel: rmannel1@cox.net

This is just the first effort from OHCA to help increase breastfeeding rates in Oklahoma. We are proud of their hard work to date and will continue working together to improve the health of our state.”

Kudos to Oklahoma!