Last year began as I was sworn into my second and last term as your Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner. I am always grateful for your continued trust and the unique opportunity it is to serve my fellow Oklahomans. Last year was also an eventful year from an insurance standpoint. From severe weather to changes in the insurance market, the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) was here with you through all of it. I want to highlight some of our work from 2023 and discuss what’s in store for this year.
We were here to help.
As we state in our vision, OID’s top priority is to protect Oklahoma consumers. Last year, our Consumer Assistance division assisted with 13,157 phone calls and 2,784 complaints, resulting in 327 external reviews and $8,295,011 recovered for consumers. Our Anti-Fraud division also assisted with 1,414 complaints. With the Life Insurance Policy Locator, we matched Oklahoma beneficiaries with $49 million in life insurance benefits…that they didn’t know they had! Additionally, through all the winter weather, wildfires, hail and tornadoes, we were ready to provide assistance and answer your insurance questions. We help Oklahomans in their time of need, and I want to reiterate that if you need assistance or would like to file a complaint, please contact us at 800-522-0071 or visit oid.ok.gov.
We met with those we serve.
My team and I love getting out in the communities we serve and meeting consumers and insurance industry professionals. We arranged Coffee with the Commissioner and attended Mix and Mingle events across the state, where we met with chambers of commerce, licensed agents, Rotary Club chapters and other organizations to learn ways we can better serve the community. In September, we set up a booth at the Oklahoma State Fair to inform thousands of consumers about our services while having fun in the process. In addition to these events, our Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) was active, giving 303 community presentations and engaging in 19,254 one-on-one client contacts, leading to 27,164 people reached. If you’d like to host an event with us, visit http://www.oid.ok.gov/speaker or call our office at 800-522-0071.
We informed and advocated for Oklahomans.
In 2023, we looked for new ways to reach consumers and licensed producers. We launched campaigns like Here to Help, Ask OID and Winter Weather to give guidance on what Oklahomans should know about insurance. We brought you 13 new episodes of the Mulready Minutes podcast, where we featured informative guests to share perspectives and information on topics such as Medicare Open Enrollment, captive insurance and the different divisions at OID. Our team also produced six episodes of the Medicare Monday webinar, and we hosted our first Insurance Day, where we connected with 125 industry professionals on issues affecting the insurance industry in Oklahoma and across the country. As a reminder, you can keep up with the latest news and events with us by following us on social media and subscribing to email news updates at https://oid.ok.gov/subscribe.
We’re looking forward to 2024.
Before looking ahead, I’d like to thank the OID team, who are dedicated state employees who make all of this possible. We expect 2024 to come with unique challenges and opportunities, but our commitment to serving Oklahomans will not change. We will keep you informed by bringing you new podcast episodes, webinars, campaigns and events in your own community. Check out our 2023 Annual Report for more information on all the work we do at OID. Here’s to a successful 2024!

The National Institutes of Health has awarded the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation $5.8 million to work toward easier diagnosis and better treatment options for Sjögren’s disease, an autoimmune condition.
In Sjögren’s, immune cells attack moisture-producing glands, causing painful dry eyes and mouth. It can result in irreversible tissue damage, neurological problems, lung disease and cancer. There is no known cure, and current treatments address only the symptoms.
OMRF scientists Joel Guthridge, Ph.D., Darise Farris, Ph.D., and Christopher Lessard, Ph.D., received a four-year grant through the Accelerating Medicines Partnership in Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Diseases Program (AMP AIM). The team’s goal is to develop less invasive clinical tools to diagnose patients more effectively and identify new targets for future treatments.
“This disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose,” said Lessard, who’s been studying Sjögren’s at OMRF since 2007. “It shares features with many autoimmune diseases and lacks effective diagnostic markers, which makes studying it challenging. This grant provides us with technology to analyze the salivary glands of people with Sjögren’s in a way that wasn’t possible previously.”
The researchers will use blood and biopsy tissue samples donated to OMRF by people with Sjögren’s to better understand different patient sub-groups’ genetic and molecular characteristics.
“This knowledge should help clinicians diagnose the disease more easily and determine who may benefit from different potential therapies,” Guthridge said.
Most studies of Sjögren’s have focused on patients who test positive for certain autoantibodies in the blood. However, a significant percentage of people with the disease test negative for those autoantibodies. In those cases, diagnosis requires an invasive biopsy of the salivary glands.
“Of the more than 600 people seen in our research clinic who met the criteria for Sjögren’s, about 40% tested negative for these autoantibodies,” said Farris, the Alvin Chang Chair of Biomedical Research at the OMRF. “This positions us to study the molecular issues unique to that particular Sjögren’s patient group.”
AMP AIM is a nationwide public-private partnership aimed at developing more effective treatments for autoimmune diseases. The partnership involves the NIH, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, nonprofit disease foundations, biopharmaceutical and life-science companies, and 52 research institutions. OMRF Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., is chair of the more than $60 million program.
The AMP AIM Sjögren’s research is funded by grant No. 3UC2 AR081032-02S1 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, part of the NIH. Farris and Guthridge received support from the Oklahoma City-based Presbyterian Health Foundation for experiments preceding the NIH grant. Additional support came to Farris from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology and to Guthridge from the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research.

For more information about ongoing Sjögren’s research at OMRF, visit https://omrf.org/patient-studies/sjogrens-disease/sjogrens/.

SENIOR LIVING TRUTH SERIES BEGINS NINTH YEAR OF EDUCATING

Story by Eddie Roach, contributing writer

Senior Living Truth Series is gearing up for its ninth year of offering free monthly seminars intended to educate, equip and empower mature Oklahomans as they enter new and often uncharted territories. This year, the series will focus more on a person’s stage in life rather than on a person’s age.
The 2024 series began on January 11 at 10 a.m. in the Atrium at Crossings Community Church with the “The Truth about Longevity: Stage Versus Age.”
“In a world where age often defines one’s abilities and limitations, this seminar challenges these stereotypes and encourages attendees to embrace the full spectrum of our life’s journey,” said series organizer Dr. Nikki Buckelew, PhD.
Buckelew is a native Oklahoman and nationally recognized speaker, educator, and coach known for her ability to deliver tough topics with enthusiasm and candor.
She said the first seminar will set the tone for coming sessions and will help attendees gain a better understanding of the distinction between lifespan (an age concept) and healthspan (a stage concept).
“Three people, all seventy years old, while the same age, may not have the same needs,” Buckelew said. “We have to be sensitive to this and share information that meets everyone at their unique stage in life.”
She highlighted topics for the first quarter of 2024. The remainder of the year’s schedule is available at www.seniorlivingtruthseries.com.
The February 8 topic is “The Truth about Staying Purposeful at Every Stage of Life.”
“Whether you’re planning to retire (or already have) or considering an alternative path, this discussion promises to offer fresh perspectives and truths often not shared,” Buckelew said.
The March 14 topic is “The Quest for Truth: Medicine, Healthcare, and Aging.”
“While we may not have all the answers, our seminar aims to empower you by providing key questions and trusted resources,” she said. “Join us for an enlightening discussion that navigates the complexities of healthcare, challenges the status quo, and points you in the right direction for informed decision-making in your unique stage of life.”
About a dozen education partners work with the Senior Living Truth Series to ensure a broad range of input to meet attendees’ needs. Education partners donate time, money, space, and resources so that programming can be provided at no cost to participants. While targeted toward mature adults in various stages, anyone is welcome to attend.
“We welcome anyone who believes the information would be valuable to them,” Buckelew said. “If you are not a senior (yet), but are seeking information to navigate your own stages in life as you mature, please join us.”
Thanks to Crossings Community Church which provides space for the 90-minute seminars held on the second Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. in the Atrium at Crossings Community Church, 14600 N Portland.
Pre-registration is available at https://seniorlivingtruthseries.com/ or by calling (405) 563-7501.

Joyce Clark

Campus Director at Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living in OKC.

Story by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

Joyce Clark said going to work is not just a job, but a ministry to her.
She was self-employed/CEO of Achievis Senior Living Associates for about 25 years until she took the reins as Campus Director at Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living at 7501 W. Britton Road in Oklahoma City almost two-and-a-half years ago.
“I’ve always loved my career. I’ve developed seven assisted and memory care communities in Oklahoma and consulted across America. I’ve created and now I’m managing a true community asset, a true blessing to people,” Clark said. “In my decades of work, I’ve tried hard to be a positive impact on the lives I have touched but I have experienced it is also vice versa.”
Clark said she knew at a young age that she wanted to have a career in healthcare.
“As a young teenager I knew I wanted to be in healthcare, and that eventually led to becoming an assisted living administrator, one of the first ones in Oklahoma, early, when it was newer,” she said. “Serving as an administrator married my love of healthcare with development and management and seniors.”
Clark said Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living is a fun and friendly community that improves people’s lives and offers solutions to their problems, and she is proud to be part of that mission.
“Any home that puts people first will be successful,” she said. “My “people first” philosophy incorporates employees as well as residents and their families. Fun, mutual respect, cooperation, and communication all factor into creating a culture where people want to live and work.”
The Saint Ann campus features 120 independent living and 50 assisted living apartments as well as a convent and chapel.
Also known as Saint Ann Retirement Center, the assisted and independent living campus is owned and operated by The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, a not-for-profit Catholic organization. People of all faiths are welcome and enjoy living at Saint Ann.
Clark said Saint Ann is an affordable place to live.
“We are affordable. There’s no big buy-in fee like other high-quality homes, and frankly, I feel like we’re at the top of senior living in the United States,” she said. “Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living is reasonably priced and all-inclusive. We have a 24-hour concierge, outstanding meals, transportation, housekeeping, and much more. Assistance with personal care and medications are available in assisted living or thru third-party providers, one of which offices inside independent living. For anyone looking to move to senior living, she advises them to check out the vibe, check out the culture, and talk to residents. “My residents are my sales staff. When they see somebody touring Saint Ann, our residents are quick to share how happy they are.”
Clark said the daily life of a campus administrator can be strenuous. She said it is important to control the expenses of operations so that an acceptable profit is earned to be successful and financially strong.
“For me, the job’s demands and stress are offset by the joys of blessing others and improving the lives of residents and employees,” she said. “Administrators must be able to lead and manage a diverse group of people. Successful directors have the capability to effectively handle a tremendous variety of responsibilities ranging from resident care, staffing, regulatory compliance, sales, and financial tracking to property maintenance, and operations management. They must be great at communication, shoveling paperwork, conflict resolution, time management, priority setting, and people pleasing. I love the variety of my job and also orchestrating large projects like the remodel currently underway.”
Clark said Saint Ann offers a variety of activities and programs for residents to enjoy.
“We have many different things to do every day” she said. “Saint Ann’s life enrichment calendar is packed with activities. We have exercise, Tai Chi, speakers, crafts. bands, entertainers, llamas, sip and paint, games, volleyball, and much more.”
Clark said Saint Ann residents are also provided transportation to doctor appointments, shopping, and excursions like going to movies, theatre, Braums, seeing Christmas lights, scenic drives, restaurants, and the casino.
“Saint Ann’s life enrichment team work hard to provide a variety of daily activities so folks can choose what they want to do,” she said. “In addition, Saint Ann provides daily Mass and a non-denominational service on Sunday. Residents also enjoy hymn singing, Bible study, and whatever else they ask us to organize.”
Clark said it is a blessing to work at Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living.
“It’s such a blessing to work here and to be a part of all this. We are an amazing, wonderful team,” she said. “We’re here for each other and we all work very cohesively. The residents are lovely and active in many daily functions and special events. Residents are the focus of everything my staff does. I truly cannot adequately express how precious the culture and people are who live and work here at Saint Ann Assisted and Independent Living.”
For more information call Lisa at (405) 721-0747, Ext. 322 or visit
https://www.saintannretirementcenter.com.

How many daily steps do we really need for optimum health? Ten thousand steps seems to be the gold standard in most of what we read to keep diabetes and high blood pressure (as well as several other conditions) at bay. And how do we keep track of all our steps?
Before you decide on a target number of steps per day, call your medical provider and ask how many you should be doing. You might learn that with an otherwise active, healthy life, several thousand steps per day might be enough, rather than the whole 10,000.
How to count those steps is the tricky part. I have several of those little clip-on step counters, and unfortunately, they all come up with different results. I have no way of knowing which are accurate.
There is a popular tracker called Fitbit, a fancy step counter that looks like a watch. Each model has pros and cons, per thousands of online reviews. Some do more than just count steps; they also keep tabs on your location with GPS, your pace and how far you’ve walked, your sleep profile, your heart rate and your stress level. They can be pricey, especially if you want to unlock all the features and sign up for Fitbit Premium to see all your data on the dashboard.
Your best bet is to Google “best step counters for seniors” and wade through a few dozen choices. You’ll find Apple Watch, 3DTriSport Walking 3D Pedometer, Garmin Vivofit 4 activity tracker and so many more. If you have a subscription to Consumer Reports, check their reviews on activity trackers for seniors.
Before you opt for an expensive tracker, visit a store where they are sold and try them out. A watch font might be too tiny to read, or a clip-on might not stay clipped on.
Bonus: Several Medicare Advantage plans provide either free or reduced-cost Fitbit devices.

PONCA CITY, Okla. — On Wednesday, February 14, the Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue will open its doors for a Valentine’s Day couples night from 7-9 p.m.
This date night experience will allow couples to tour the museum’s galleries while listening to romantic music and partaking in drinks, hor d’oeuvres and sweet Valentine’s treats. After viewing the galleries, guests can shop with a 10% discount on all items in the gift shop, excluding consignment items.
The event costs $15 per person, and reservations are required. This is restricted to couples only.
The Pioneer Woman Museum is located at 701 Monument Rd. in Ponca City. For more information, please call 580-765-6108 or visit their website, https://www.pioneerwomanmuseum.com/.
The Pioneer Woman Museum and Statue is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit https://www.okhistory.org/.

The Oklahoma Hospital Association (OHA) presented Excellence in Quality awards to four hospitals during its recent annual conference. This award recognizes exceptional efforts to improve outcomes in clinical quality performance practices, capabilities, and results, and represents the highest level of professional acknowledgement from the OHA Council on Quality & Patient Safety.
Award applications from OHA hospitals across the state were scored based on their story of a clinical project specific to improving patient safety within the hospital, creating innovative interventions that incorporate evidence-based best practices, demonstrating measurable and quantifiable results, sustaining/spreading the success within the hospital, and stimulating learning for others. Four award categories based on number of beds were recognized.
“The goals of the awards are to recognize outcomes in clinical quality performance practices, capabilities, and results, share best clinical practices, challenges, and successes among Oklahoma hospitals, and stimulate innovation, knowledge and learning in achieving clinical quality and safety in health care among member hospitals,” said Patrice Greenawalt, OHA vice president of quality & clinical initiatives.

2023 awardees for Excellence in Quality are:

Critical Access Hospital and Under 25 beds: Rural Wellness Anadarko. Project Title: Reduction of Falls for Patient Safety. Submitted by: Rachel Stephens, chief nursing officer

26-100 beds: Select Specialty Hospital Oklahoma City. Project Title: Reducing Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections. Submitted by: Tami Kirk, director of quality management

101-300 beds: Comanche County Memorial Hospital, Lawton. Project Title: Reduction of Hospital-Acquired Clostridioides difficile. Submitted by: Melissa Alvillar, RN, chief nursing officer

More than 300 beds: Norman Regional Health System. Project Title: Hip Fracture Morbidity and Mortality. Submitted by: Cathy Snapp, orthopedic program administrator

Dear Savvy Senior, Does Medicare cover any weight-loss treatments for overweight retirees? I just turned 65 and need to lose about 100 pounds and would like to know if Medicare can help. Overweight Owen 

Dear Owen,
Yes, traditional Medicare does indeed cover some weight-loss treatments like counseling and certain types of surgery for overweight beneficiaries, but unfortunately it doesn’t cover weight-loss programs or medications. Here’s what you should know.
Who’s Eligible
For beneficiaries to receive available Medicare-covered weight-loss treatments your body mass index (BMI), which is an estimate of your body fat based on your height and weight, must be 30 or higher.
A BMI of 30 or above is considered obese and increases your risk for many health conditions, such as some cancers, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and sleep apnea. To find out your BMI, the National Institutes of Health has a free calculator that you can access online at nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm.
What’s Covered
If you find that your BMI is 30 or higher, Medicare Part B will cover up to 12 months of weight-loss counseling conducted by a medical professional in a primary care setting (like a doctor’s office).
Most counseling sessions entail an initial obesity screening, a dietary assessment and behavioral therapy designed to help you lose weight by focusing on diet and exercise.
Medicare also covers certain types of bariatric and metabolic surgery for morbidly obese beneficiaries who have a BMI of 35 or above and have at least one underlying obesity-related health condition, such as diabetes or heart disease. You must also show that you’ve tried to lose weight in the past through dieting or exercise and have been unsuccessful.
These procedures make changes to your digestive system to help you lose weight and improve the health of your metabolism.
Some common bariatric surgical procedures covered include Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, which reduces the stomach to a small pouch that makes you feel full even following small meals. And laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, which inserts an inflatable band that creates a gastric pouch encircling the top of the stomach.
What’s Not Covered
Unfortunately, original Medicare does not cover weight-loss programs such as fitness or gym memberships, meal delivery services, or popular weight-loss programs such as Jenny Craig, Noom and WW (formerly Weight Watchers).
Medicare also does not cover any weight-loss drugs, but it does cover FDA approved diabetes drugs that have unintentionally become very popular for weight loss.
Medicare Part D plans cover Ozempic and Mounjaro for diabetes only, not for weight loss! So, your doctor will need to prescribe these medications for diabetes in order to get them covered.
Medicare also does not cover Wegovy or Zepbound because they’re approved only for weight loss.
The reason behind the weight-loss drug omission is the Medicare Modernization Act, which specifically excluded them back when the law was written 20 years ago. They also excluded drugs used for cosmetic purposes, fertility, hair growth and erectile dysfunction.
Medicare Advantage
If you happen to be enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage plan, you may have coverage for gym memberships and some weight loss and healthy food delivery programs. These are considered expanded supplemental benefits and have gradually been added to some plans to provide coverage for nutrition, health and wellness. Contact your plan to see what it provides.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit https://savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Getting a flu shot protects you, your family and the community from getting sick. The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System provides flu shots and COVID vaccinations for Veterans and they are going one step further. Veterans can also visit participating pharmacies and community care partners and get free vaccinations closer to home. Eligible Veterans can get a no-cost flu shot from a nearby VA clinic or within your community from one of nearly 65,000 in-network pharmacies or urgent care locations.
Keep in mind:
To get a no-cost vaccine, the provider must be part of VA’s community care network.
If you receive a flu shot from a non-network provider, you may be responsible for the cost of the vaccine.
Retail pharmacies include most supermarket and local pharmacies.
Many urgent care locations offer walk-in care.
Call ahead to see if a pharmacy or urgent care site:
participates in the VA flu shot program.
offers the specific flu vaccine that you prefer
To learn more about the program the VA provides fact sheets, language options are available in English or Spanish versions. Flu vaccines are usually available September through April. Use our on-line VA locator to find locations.
And if you would like to get both vaccinations, you now can safely get shots for flu and COVID at the same time – one visit, two vaccines. (Call ahead to make sure COVID vaccine available). Remember, if you go to a local urgent care for your vaccine, the visit must be for vaccination ONLY for it to be covered. If you seek additional treatment on top of receiving the flu or COVID vaccine, you may be responsible for a co-payment.
You are eligible to receive a no-cost flu shot at an in-network retail pharmacy or urgent care location if:
You are enrolled in the VA health care system
You received care from a VA provider or an in-network community care provider within the past 24 months.
How do I know if I am eligible?
Call 800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) Select option 1 (urgent care information or check urgent care eligibility). The system will verify your eligibility for the community urgent care benefit, which includes the flu vaccination.
Or call the OKC VA at 1-405-456-1000 option 2 or find your local VA facility
Your state may have age and health-related restrictions.
For more information, please visit the below link: https://www.prevention.va.gov/flu/FluShots.asp