Healthcare

HB 3259 bans specific restrictive clauses in health insurance provider contracts within Oklahoma. It prohibits "anti-steering" clauses (blocking insurers from directing patients to lower-cost providers), "gag" clauses (preventing disclosure of prices or out-of-pocket costs to patients), and "most favored nation" clauses (forcing uniform rates across insurers). The bill directly affects health insurance providers and "general contracting entities" (insurers or entities managing provider networks), requiring them to prioritize enrollees' interests when directing care. Enrollees gain greater transparency into costs and more choice in providers, as contracts containing these banned clauses are void. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

HB 3928 requires vision insurers to reimburse optometrists for covered services at no less than the 60th percentile of local usual and customary rates, as determined by an independent data source. It prohibits insurers from reducing payments for materials (like frames, lenses, and contacts) when increasing service payments, unless the change applies uniformly to all providers. The bill also mandates that insurers disclose average reimbursement rates for both affiliated and independent providers, and prevents insurers from penalizing providers for using nonaffiliated labs or vendors that meet credentialing standards. These changes directly affect optometrists, vision insurers, and patients using vision insurance plans in Oklahoma.