Eight Oklahoma community behavioral health providers say they are short nearly $150 million in reimbursement, Oklahoma Voice reported May 7.
Joy Sloan, CEO of Muskogee, Okla.-based Green Country Behavioral Health Services, said she has not been paid any reimbursements by the state in 2025. The state’s other community behavioral health centers say they have not been paid this year either, despite billing the state for $86.7 million.
Allie Friesen, the state’s mental health commissioner, told Oklahoma Voice the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is investigating the missing reimbursements.
“We are not currently aware of any reason why these payments should not have been distributed and are committed to resolving the issue swiftly,” Ms. Friesen told the outlet.
The state’s mental health agency is facing numerous investigations following a $43 million budget shortfall, according to the Oklahoma Voice.