This bill requires Oklahoma hospitals to provide patients experiencing fetal death or miscarriage with a form explaining how to request official certificates (fetal death or stillbirth birth certificates) before discharge. Hospitals must also verbally inform patients about these certificate options. The State Department of Health must create and publish this standardized form online, including clear instructions and contact details for vital records. The law takes effect November 1, 2026, directly affecting hospitals and patients in Oklahoma facing these medical circumstances.
SB 1645 establishes new rules for auditing long-term care providers (like nursing homes and Medicaid home-care agencies) under Oklahoma's Medicaid program. It requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to give providers 1 week's notice before audits, limits audits to 50 claims or 0.25% of annual claims, and prohibits holding providers liable for simple clerical errors (like typos) as fraud. Providers must be allowed 60 days to correct claims after an audit, and recoupments (recovery of overpaid funds) can only apply to corrected claims, not original billing errors. The bill also creates a two-step appeals process, allowing providers to challenge audit results through the Authority and then to an administrative law judge.
SB 2007 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Oklahoma to pay administrative fees to pharmacies when they adjust reimbursement rates for the same drug within 30 days after a successful appeal. Specifically, if a PBM increases reimbursement based on an appeal but then lowers it again for the same drug within 30 days, the PBM must pay $100 immediately, escalating to $500 after 90 days or $1,000 after 180 days if unpaid. The bill directly affects pharmacies and PBMs by mandating these fee payments for disputed reimbursements, ensuring providers aren’t financially penalized for legitimate appeal outcomes. It also includes other provisions like weekly MAC price updates and requirements for PBMs to provide clear documentation during reimbursement disputes. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
SB 1833 directs Oklahoma's Department of Human Services to seek a federal waiver preventing SNAP (food stamp) benefits from being used to purchase candy and soft drinks, and to potentially exclude other "nonnutritive" foods. The department must submit a waiver request to the USDA with public health justification, an implementation plan for retail point-of-sale systems, and an education strategy for recipients. If approved, the restrictions would take effect within six months, requiring annual reports to state leaders on SNAP spending patterns and program impacts. This bill directly affects SNAP recipients in Oklahoma by changing eligible purchases and requires federal approval for implementation.
SB 1344 creates Oklahoma's Insulin Access and Affordability Program, administered by the State Department of Health, to increase access to affordable insulin for residents. The bill requires the Department to provide financial support to a nonprofit pharmaceutical manufacturer developing fast-acting biosimilar insulin, contingent on the manufacturer matching funds and agreeing to produce insulin at low cost without rebates (except as required by law). The agreement includes annual reporting on development progress and repayment terms if the insulin isn't produced and distributed as promised. This program directly affects Oklahoma residents needing insulin, public and private payors, and the specified nonprofit manufacturer.
SB 1290 allocates $3 million from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to maintain the state's 2-1-1 hotline for the 2027 fiscal year. The funding ensures the hotline continues providing direct support for basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and medical assistance. This appropriation directly affects Oklahomans who rely on the 2-1-1 service for immediate help. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 3329 extends the expiration date of Oklahoma's Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027. The bill modifies Oklahoma Statutes Section 1-1923 to continue the board's operation, which advises the State Commissioner of Health on long-term care services. The advisory board, composed of 13 members including healthcare professionals, facility operators, and public representatives, provides recommendations on care standards for nursing homes, residential care facilities, and adult day care centers. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, as an emergency measure.
HB 4457 prohibits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from owning or controlling pharmacy licenses in Oklahoma. The State Board of Pharmacy must revoke licenses of violators after November 2026, though it may issue temporary licenses for rare, orphan, or limited-distribution drugs until September 2028. Pharmacies must notify patients of service changes by January 2027, and the Board must provide lists of compliant pharmacies. This law prevents conflicts of interest by restricting PBMs from owning pharmacies.
SB 2074 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to accept all documentation from pharmacies when challenging reimbursement amounts and include specific details in appeal requests. If an appeal is approved, PBMs must adjust payments within 14 days and provide claim-level details. The bill applies to all PBMs working with Oklahoma pharmacies and covers disputes over reimbursement rates for prescription drugs. It aims to streamline the appeals process and prevent delays in payments to pharmacies.
HB 3127 protects Oklahoma medical marijuana patients and caregivers from discrimination in employment, public assistance, and firearm ownership. It prohibits employers from refusing to hire, firing, or penalizing individuals solely for being a licensed medical marijuana user, and bars denial of Medicaid, SNAP, or firearm rights based on that status. However, the bill mandates a "zero-tolerance" policy for safety-sensitive jobs (like operating vehicles, handling hazardous materials, or direct patient care), allowing employers to enforce drug testing and discipline for marijuana use at work. Employers may still maintain written drug testing policies under state standards, but cannot deny employment based solely on medical marijuana license status or a positive test if the user is licensed and not impaired at work.
