Oklahoma Senate Bill SB351

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Health Care Freedom of Choice Act; expanding health care providers to be paid by an assigned benefits claim; establishing penalties. Effective date.

Impact

The enactment of SB351 is expected to have a substantial impact on state health insurance regulations. By facilitating direct payments to providers, the bill could streamline the claims process for patients and enhance access to a broader network of healthcare providers. Furthermore, it seeks to safeguard providers from the financial repercussions when insurers delay or deny payment on assigned claims. This amendment to existing law signals a shift towards a more patient-centric approach in Oklahoma's health care landscape.

Summary

Senate Bill 351, known as the Health Care Freedom of Choice Act, aims to enhance patient rights regarding health insurance policies by allowing insured individuals to assign benefits directly to health care providers. The bill modifies existing statutes to expand the range of healthcare practitioners who can receive payments for assigned benefits claims, ensuring that patients can choose their providers without facing financial barriers that may arise from out-of-network services. If the insurer fails to satisfy these assigned claims, the bill also mandates that they must bear the costs associated with these failures, including potential civil fines imposed by the Insurance Commissioner.

Contention

Despite its intended benefits, SB351 has sparked some contention among stakeholders. Opponents may raise concerns regarding potential abuses of the assignment process, wherein patients might unintentionally overextend their financial responsibilities by selecting out-of-network providers. Additionally, there could be apprehensions from insurance companies about increased liabilities and costs associated with fulfilling these claims. The bill's provisions may also lead to debates over the effectiveness and fairness of assigning benefits in the context of established insurance networks.