Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB756

Introduced
2/6/23  

Caption

Medicaid; prohibiting prior authorization process by contracted entity when provider meets criteria for certain exemption; stipulating certain procedures. Emergency.

Impact

If enacted, SB756 will alter the interaction between participating providers and Medicaid managed care organizations. The bill establishes a structured means for providers to maintain exemptions from prior authorization requirements, thus allowing them to deliver timely services without unnecessary bureaucratic delays. It aims to bolster provider autonomy, potentially improving patient access to necessary healthcare services. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes clear communication by requiring contracted entities to notify providers of exemptions and any rescissions, thereby enhancing transparency in the authorization process.

Summary

Senate Bill 756 proposes significant changes to the prior authorization process for Medicaid services in Oklahoma. The bill mandates that a contracted entity cannot require prior authorization for a health care service if a participating provider has previously had at least 90% of their authorization requests approved over the past six months. This automatic exemption aims to streamline the process for health care providers and reduce barriers to patient care when they consistently meet approval thresholds. Continued exemptions can be granted without re-evaluation, easing the administrative burden on providers who demonstrate high compliance rates.

Contention

While SB756 has garnered support for its potential to ease access to care, it has also sparked concerns over the possibility of unintended consequences. Critics argue that the bill may lead to abuses or over-utilization of services without adequate oversight, although safeguards are included in the legislation. The framework for rescinding exemptions is defined, requiring retrospective reviews based on a sample of prior claims. This aspect of the bill is crucial, as it seeks to balance provider flexibility with the need for constant monitoring of healthcare quality and compliance with medical necessity standards.

Companion Bills

OK SB756

Carry Over Medicaid; prohibiting prior authorization process by contracted entity when provider meets criteria for certain exemption; stipulating certain procedures. Emergency.

Previously Filed As

OK SB756

Medicaid; prohibiting prior authorization process by contracted entity when provider meets criteria for certain exemption; stipulating certain procedures. Emergency.

OK HB2177

Public health and safety; health care professionals; prohibiting certain gender transition procedures; exceptions; administrative remedies; emergency.

OK SB925

Public health; prohibiting certain actions by covered entity; providing certain immunity. Emergency.

OK SB620

Professional Entity Act; modifying requirements for persons holding interest in domestic professional entity; prohibiting certain persons from holding shares in certain professional corporations. Effective date.

OK SB974

Environmental, social, and governance; prohibiting use of certain investment criteria by governmental entities, political subdivisions, businesses, or persons. Emergency.

OK SB318

Sale tax; modifying certain procedure to claim exemption. Effective date.

OK SB154

Schools; providing exemptions from certain reading screening instruments to certain students. Effective date. Emergency.

OK SB235

Oklahoma Broadband Expansion Act; adding certain entity to exemptions. Emergency.

OK SB281

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; modifying certain exemption from resource determination criteria. Effective date. Emergency.

OK SB250

Public programs; prohibiting public funding for provider of gender transition procedures; allowing reapplication under certain conditions. Emergency.

Similar Bills

OK SB756

Medicaid; prohibiting prior authorization process by contracted entity when provider meets criteria for certain exemption; stipulating certain procedures. Emergency.

OK SB1675

Medicaid; modifying various provisions of the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Act. Emergency.

OK SB1337

State Medicaid program; directing Health Care Authority to enter into capitated contracts to transform Medicaid delivery system for certain Medicaid populations; modifying various provisions of the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Act; repealers. Effective date. Emergency. Conditional effect.

OK HB2322

State Medicaid program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Act; broadening certain definition; reimbursements; providers; pharmacists; effective date; emergency; contingent effectiveness.

OK HB1810

Medicaid; modifying, adding, and removing certain prior authorization requirements for contracted entities; effective date; emergency.

OK SB875

State Medicaid program; making contracted entities ineligible for capitated contracts for failure to meet certain minimum expense requirement. Effective date. Emergency.

OK HB2161

Insurance; Oklahoma Insurance Act; effective date.

OK SB48

Athlete agents; creating the Revised Uniform Athlete Agents Act. Emergency.