HB 4423 requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to verify the immigration status of all Medicaid applicants using the federal SAVE system (or its successor) before approving benefits. It specifically mandates that the Authority notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if an applicant's status cannot be verified as lawful. This applies to all applicants, including adults applying for child-only Medicaid benefits on behalf of a child. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not change Medicaid eligibility criteria but adds a verification step for immigration status.
SB 1425 repeals three existing Oklahoma statutes related to health care workforce programs: 70 O.S. 2021 §2640 (Oklahoma Health Care Workers and Educators Assistance Program) and 74 O.S. 2021 §§3200.1-3200.2 (Health Care Workforce Resources Act). This bill eliminates the legal framework for these specific programs, which previously provided assistance to health care workers and educators. The repeal takes effect on November 1, 2026, and directly affects the administrative structure and operations of those programs. No new provisions or funding are created; the bill solely removes the existing laws.
SB 1447 prohibits the Oklahoma Employees Insurance Plan from awarding contracts to pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) that have settled lawsuits, been fined, or faced judgments exceeding $4 million in the past five years. The bill requires that state contract evaluations must favor PBMs headquartered in Oklahoma for at least one year and disfavor PBMs with corporate ties to health insurers, retail pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, or drug manufacturers. Contracted PBMs must also certify compliance with Oklahoma’s health information laws and maintain SOC 2 Type 2 security certification. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
SB 1500 requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and other payors to pay pharmacies within 30 days for "clean claims" (properly submitted claims without issues). It prohibits PBMs from conditioning payments on post-transaction reconciliations or shifting payment delays to pharmacies, and mandates transparent accounting for payments. The bill also authorizes Oklahoma’s Attorney General to impose fines for violations and voids contracts that violate these rules. These changes directly affect pharmacies (as providers) and PBMs/insurers (as payors) by standardizing payment timelines and reducing financial risk for pharmacies.
HB 1168 makes it a felony to knowingly deliver or possess abortion-inducing drugs (like misoprostol or methotrexate) with the intent of causing an abortion, punishable by up to $100,000 in fines or 10 years in prison. It directly affects individuals who provide such drugs for non-exceptional purposes, including off-label use for abortion. Key exceptions include pharmacists, manufacturers, and distributors acting within lawful medical practices, as well as preventive contraception used as directed by manufacturers. The law does not restrict treatment for ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, or medical uses of drugs like chemotherapy.
HB 3143 extends Oklahoma's moratorium on new medical marijuana business licenses (dispensaries, processors, growers) from August 1, 2026, to August 1, 2028. It requires existing license holders to get written approval from the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority before transferring ownership, including submitting documentation to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics. Transfers must follow a 15-business-day timeline for license and registration changes, and applicants cannot submit transfer requests if disciplinary actions are pending. The bill also mandates that businesses provide a full inventory of all medical marijuana products during ownership changes and prohibits transfers without approval, with a 30-day window for pending applications to comply with new rules.
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 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.
SB 1625 requires the Oklahoma Insurance Department to conduct a detailed impact analysis for any new law that would mandate changes to health insurance coverage (like adding specific treatments or requiring prior authorization). The analysis must evaluate social impact (public health benefits and affected populations), medical effectiveness (scientific evidence), and financial effects (premium changes and market stability) before such bills can be voted on. The department may hire outside experts for this analysis and must make the reports publicly available online. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.
This bill limits medical damages in Oklahoma personal injury cases to actual payments made by plaintiffs or their insurers, not the higher amounts billed by providers. It requires health care providers to submit signed statements confirming they accept the actual payment amount as full settlement, or use Medicare reimbursement rates as a standard when no payment was made. The law applies to both past medical bills and future treatment costs, directly affecting plaintiffs, health care providers (like hospitals and doctors), and health insurance plans. It aims to reduce inflated medical billing in lawsuits by making only verified payments or standard rates admissible as evidence.
