HB 2584 allows physician assistants (PAs) in Oklahoma to prescribe and administer certain controlled substances under the supervision of a licensed physician, as specified in the Oklahoma Pharmacy Act and Physician Assistant Act. The bill clarifies that pharmacists may dispense these prescriptions only when written by a PA licensed in Oklahoma and supervised by an Oklahoma-licensed physician, and it modifies requirements for practice agreements between PAs and their supervising physicians. It also creates a 9-member Physician Assistant Committee with specific membership rules to oversee PA licensure and practice standards. The law directly affects PAs, supervising physicians, and pharmacists who dispense controlled substances. (Summary based on bill text amendments to Sections 353.1a, 519.2, and 519.3 of Oklahoma statutes.)
SB 804 requires Oklahoma assisted living centers to establish an internal quality assurance committee that meets quarterly. The committee must monitor incidents, resident satisfaction, and care quality - especially medication administration - and recommend policies, with membership including a registered nurse, administrator, direct care staff, and pharmacist as needed. The bill also updates existing rules to mandate monthly medication reviews by nurses/pharmacists, standardized resident screening, posting inspection results online, and individualized care plans. These changes directly affect all licensed assisted living centers in Oklahoma, effective November 1, 2025.
SB 574 expands the types of opioid-related projects eligible for state grant funding by allowing the Attorney General to allocate funds toward new prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives. It directly affects state agencies and community organizations receiving opioid grants by broadening allowable uses beyond current restrictions. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to use grant funds for specific, previously ineligible activities, such as community-based support programs. This policy change modifies how opioid grant funds are distributed without altering the grant application process.
Oklahoma's SB 773 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by prohibiting unfair practices that affect independent pharmacies and patients. It requires PBMs to pay independent pharmacies the same reimbursement rate for identical drugs as they pay PBM-owned pharmacies, banning "spread pricing" where PBMs charge plans more than they pay pharmacies. The bill also prohibits PBMs from charging pharmacies fees for claim submission, network enrollment, or claims processing, and restricts retroactive payment reductions except for fraud or audit errors. These changes directly impact PBMs, pharmacies, and health plans operating in Oklahoma, aiming to ensure fairer payment practices. The bill was vetoed by the governor but overridden by the legislature on May 29, 2025.
HB 2048, the "340B Nondiscrimination Act," prohibits health insurers, pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), and third-party payors from discriminating against healthcare providers participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. It specifically bans lower reimbursement rates for 340B drugs, extra fees or administrative burdens for 340B entities, exclusion from provider networks based on 340B status, and requirements to disclose 340B-specific billing details. The law applies to all 340B entities - such as community health centers and hospitals participating in the federal program - and ensures they receive equal treatment in billing, reimbursement, and network access. Enforcement is handled by the Attorney General, with the Oklahoma Medicaid program excluded from these provisions.
This bill requires Oklahoma health insurance plans to cover low-dose mammography screenings for breast cancer without cost-sharing (such as deductibles or copays). It mandates coverage once every five years for women aged 35-39 and annually for women 40 and older. The law also requires coverage for necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast exams, including those for high-risk cases like dense breast tissue. The policy takes effect November 1, 2025.
SB 1135 allocates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support its operations. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval. This legislation provides specific funding for the Authority's duties without altering existing health insurance or tax policies.
SB 1136 allocates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) for unspecified duties required by law. The bill directly affects the OHCA, which administers state health care programs, by providing dedicated funding for its operations. It requires the agency to use these specific funds for purposes outlined in existing law, though the bill does not detail the exact programs or services. The funding is effective immediately upon the bill's passage, declared an emergency for public health and safety reasons. This is a routine appropriations measure with no new policy requirements or beneficiary changes.
HB 2782 creates a "Rate Preservation Fund" within Oklahoma's Health Care Authority to prevent cuts to Medicaid reimbursement rates for healthcare providers when the state's federal Medicaid funding percentage decreases. The bill allows the Authority to use fund monies to maintain these rates and permits temporary transfers of up to one-third of the fund's balance to other Medicaid program accounts for cash flow needs - provided the funds are fully repaid to the preservation fund by year-end. This directly affects hospitals, clinics, and other Medicaid providers who rely on stable reimbursement rates. The law also declares an emergency to take immediate effect.
SB 176 requires health insurance plans to cover certain prescription drugs that were previously not included in standard coverage. It directly affects health insurance providers and policyholders by mandating this specific coverage for eligible medications. The key provision is a new requirement for all health benefit plans to include these designated prescriptions without prior authorization or excessive cost-sharing. The law became effective on May 29, 2025, after the Governor did not sign it.
