This bill changes Oklahoma Medicaid rules for autism treatment coverage. It requires a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder by specific licensed providers (like neurologists, developmental pediatricians, or psychologists) to qualify for applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. The bill prohibits Medicaid from requiring re-diagnoses after an initial diagnosis and mandates in-person ABA services while allowing remote supervision via telehealth. It directly affects Oklahoma Medicaid recipients with autism spectrum disorder seeking ABA therapy.
SB 1305 allows Oklahoma's Medical Marijuana Authority to contract with third-party vendors to handle employee credentialing for medical marijuana businesses. The bill requires the Authority to approve or deny vendor applications within 30 days and sets strict vendor requirements, including IRS 501(c)(3) status and training plans covering state laws, patient privacy, and safe handling. Employees must complete annual training (minimum one hour per topic) on these subjects to maintain credentials. The law affects all medical marijuana business employees and businesses requiring credentialing, effective July 1, 2026.
SB 1383 requires Oklahoma Medicaid to cover diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) for beneficiaries with diabetes. It mandates the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to develop a state plan amendment for this coverage after completing a feasibility study and reporting on costs, clinical evidence, and pilot results. The bill defines DSMES as personalized education covering healthy eating, physical activity, blood sugar monitoring, and medication management. This policy change directly affects Oklahoma Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with diabetes by expanding their covered health services. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2026.
SB 1329 requires Medicaid providers in Oklahoma to screen women for postpartum depression during any in-person visit with a Medicaid member or her infant within one year after childbirth. This screening must be reimbursed under the state Medicaid program, directly affecting Medicaid providers and pregnant/postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid. The bill mandates the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to seek necessary federal approval and develop implementing rules. It becomes effective November 1, 2026, aiming to integrate mental health checks into routine postpartum care.
SB 1564 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid program (Oklahoma Health Care Authority and its contractors) to use a specific billing code (HCPCS G0330) for facility fees related to dental surgeries under general anesthesia in operating rooms. This applies exclusively to surgeries performed on individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, such as those at ambulatory surgical centers. The bill mandates that the Authority set a reimbursement rate reflecting actual service costs, and all contractors must pay at least that rate for these claims. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 207 establishes the Oklahoma Rare Disease Advisory Council within the State Department of Health to address the needs of Oklahomans living with rare diseases (defined as conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people nationally). The Council, composed of 13 diverse members including patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and industry representatives, will conduct public hearings, develop policy recommendations, and create emergency care protocols to improve access to specialists, diagnostics, and equitable treatment. The bill also modifies Oklahoma’s newborn screening program to require an educational initiative for treatable genetic disorders, aiming to prevent intellectual disabilities and reduce infant mortality through early intervention. This legislation directly affects rare disease patients, their families, healthcare providers, and state agencies responsible for public health programs in Oklahoma.
HB 2513, titled the "Oklahoma Mental Health Reform Act of 2025," proposed creating a position requiring an individual with specific qualifications to address the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services' court-ordered consent decree. The bill specified requirements for this appointee and included an emergency provision. It was scheduled to take effect November 1, 2025, but was pocket-vetoed by the Governor on May 30, 2025, with the veto taking effect June 15, 2025, meaning it never became law. The bill directly affected the Department's compliance with its existing legal agreement but was not enacted.
HB 2645 creates a tax credit for qualifying doctors practicing medicine in rural Oklahoma, directly affecting licensed physicians who meet specific residency and education criteria. The credit, capped at $20,000 per year per doctor, applies to taxable income from medical practice in designated rural areas (population under 25,000 and at least 25 miles from larger cities). The bill includes an annual $1 million total credit limit, with adjustments to prevent exceeding this cap. The bill was pocket-vetoed by the governor on June 15, 2025, and never became law.
HB 1576 requires Oklahoma Medicaid to cover rapid whole genome sequencing (RWGS) for eligible beneficiaries under age 21 with complex or acute illnesses of unknown cause while receiving critical care in a hospital. It mandates coverage only when specific medical criteria are met, such as symptoms suggesting broad genetic testing needs, timely diagnosis being critical for treatment, and conditions like congenital anomalies or abnormal test results. The bill also ensures genetic data used for diagnosis is protected under HIPAA, allows research use only with explicit patient or guardian consent (with opt-out rights), and requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to implement rules and seek federal approval for coverage. This policy directly affects Medicaid-covered children and teens in intensive care with undiagnosed conditions.
HB 2298 allows qualified Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Oklahoma - such as nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives - to prescribe medications independently after meeting specific requirements. To qualify, APRNs must complete 6,240 supervised clinical hours, hold a valid license, and carry $1 million in malpractice insurance per incident. The bill also sets rules for APRN advertising (requiring clear disclosure of their role and scope) and defines supervision requirements for those not yet eligible for independent prescribing. It modifies Oklahoma’s Nursing Practice Act, Pharmacy Act, and Controlled Substances Act to implement these changes.
