Oklahoma Senate Bill SB351

Oklahoma 2024 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

If enacted, SB351 will significantly affect the operations of health insurers and the rights of consumers. By strengthening provisions that enable the assignment of benefits, the bill promotes greater consumer choice regarding healthcare providers and impacts how insurers manage provider networks. This change is expected to empower patients to seek care from a broader selection of providers, including those outside of typical preferred provider organization networks, thereby enhancing overall healthcare access. There is an emphasis on ensuring that patients are informed about potential financial implications of choosing out-of-network providers, including higher copayments and deductibles.

Summary

Senate Bill 351, known as the Health Care Freedom of Choice Act, seeks to amend existing legislation regarding health insurance in Oklahoma. The bill primarily focuses on enhancing the rights of insured individuals when it comes to assigning their health benefits. This allows practitioners, hospitals, and licensed health care facilities to be compensated directly for services rendered to insured patients, bolstering the accessibility of care and expanding the range of providers eligible for payment under assigned benefits claims. The act clarifies the conditions for such assignments and mandates timely compensation by insurers when these conditions are met.

Contention

While the bill aims to improve provider access and consumer autonomy, some potential points of contention include concerns from insurers regarding the implications of increased costs arising from direct assignments of benefits to out-of-network providers. Insurers argue that this could lead to unanticipated financial pressures and disputes over reimbursements, particularly if a high volume of patients opts for non-network providers. Additionally, there may be worries about how this act could strain existing insurance frameworks and potentially lead to increased premiums due to the expanded coverage requirements.