SB 438: Health insurance; methods of payments to providers; requiring notice of certain fee. Effective date. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to transition from a House version to a Senate floor version, incorporating formatting changes and adding new provisions regarding payment methods. The Senate version adds a new subsection (D.E.) prohibiting fees for transmitting payments via the Automated Clearing House Network unless the healthcare provider consents, and clarifies fee notification requirements for credit card payments.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on health insurance payment methods, but the Senate version adds specific protections against fees for ACH transfers and refines notification requirements for credit card fees.

REQUIREMENT

New provision prohibiting fees for ACH payment transmission without healthcare provider consent

Clarified fee notification requirements for credit card payments to healthcare providers

TECHNICAL

Formatting changes from House floor version to Senate floor version including page numbers and committee amendment notation

DEFINITION

Added 'Electronic funds transfer payment' definition to clarify payment method categories

Committee Substitute → Floor (House) · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill text was reformatted from a Committee Substitute version to a House Floor version, with minor text adjustments to section headers and page footers. The substantive policy content regarding health insurance payment methods and provider fees remains unchanged.

TECHNICAL

Header and page footer formatting were updated to reflect the House Floor version, including changes to the document title and page numbering.

Minor text adjustments were made to section headers and spacing throughout the document, with no changes to the actual legislative language.

Enrolled (final version) → Committee Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was reformatted from an enrolled Senate version to a committee substitute version, with minor text corrections and reorganization. The substantive policy content regarding health insurance payment methods, fee notifications, and electronic transfer requirements remains unchanged. The committee substitute version includes improved formatting and page numbering for legislative clarity.

TECHNICAL

Bill header and formatting were updated from enrolled version to committee substitute format with proper page numbering and section headers.

Minor text corrections were made to section definitions, particularly in the electronic funds transfer payment definition and health care services list.

Page breaks and formatting were reorganized to improve readability and legislative presentation.

Engrossed → Enrolled (final version) · 3 edits · May 5, 2025

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enrolled for signature, with minor formatting adjustments and reorganization of section headers. The substantive policy content regarding health insurance payment methods and fee restrictions remains unchanged from the engrossed version.

TECHNICAL

Header changed from 'ENGROSSED SENATE' to 'ENROLLED SENATE' indicating the bill has passed both chambers and is ready for the Governor's signature.

Page numbering and formatting were adjusted to reflect the enrolled version, including removal of amendment markup indicators.

Added signature date lines for the Senate and House, along with the Governor's office designation.

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · Mar 12, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Oklahoma's health insurance payment regulations to clarify definitions of electronic payments and establish new requirements for insurers to notify providers about payment fees and available payment options. The changes aim to improve transparency and ensure providers are not restricted to credit card payments as the only acceptable method.

Scope change

The bill applies to all health insurance plans, health insurers, contracted vendors, and health maintenance organizations that initiate or change payments to health care providers on or after January 1, 2020.

DEFINITION

Added and clarified definitions for 'credit card payment' (including virtual/online cards), 'electronic funds transfer payment' (excluding ACH), and 'health care services' with expanded examples.

REQUIREMENT

Requires health insurers and vendors to notify providers of any fees associated with specific payment methods when initiating or changing payment arrangements.

Mandates that insurers advise providers of available payment methods and provide clear instructions on how to select preferred payment options.

Prohibits restrictions that make credit card payment the only acceptable payment method for health care services.

Requires notification to providers if fees are associated with electronic funds transfer payments, including virtual credit card payments.

Prohibits charging fees solely for transmitting ACH payments unless the provider consents, while allowing reasonable fees for transaction management and value-added services.

Health insurance; methods of payments to providers; requiring notice of certain fee. Effective date.

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