Ambulances; creating the Out-of-Network Ambulance Service Provider Act; minimum allowable rates; billing; payments; processes; effective date.

This Oklahoma law establishes the Out-of-Network Ambulance Service Provider Act to regulate how health insurance companies pay ambulance providers who do not have a contract with the insurer. The bill sets a minimum payment rate for these out-of-network services, requiring insurers to pay at least the local government-approved rate or, if that is unavailable, the lesser of 325% of the federal Medicare rate or the provider's billed charges. Additionally, the act prohibits out-of-network ambulance providers from billing patients for any amounts above what the insurance company pays, and it limits patient cost-sharing fees like copayments and deductibles to match those charged for in-network services. These rules take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to ground ambulance services covered under health care benefit plans in the state.