HB 2749 creates a special fund called the Intergenerational Education Revolving Fund within the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. It establishes a competitive grant program to connect nursing facilities participating in Oklahoma's Medicaid program with public school districts for collaborative intergenerational education initiatives. Grant awards, provided as rate adjustments to qualifying facilities, will fund these partnerships. The program begins July 1, 2025, with funds limited to the total amount deposited into the revolving fund.
HB 2947 adds a new provider code in Oklahoma Medicaid for master's and doctoral-level behavioral health clinical interns. These interns - graduate students in nationally accredited programs - can provide services under the direct supervision of licensed behavioral health providers (like LPCs or LCSWs) while following all Medicaid documentation and training requirements. The bill directly affects interns seeking practical experience and licensed supervisors who will oversee their Medicaid-covered services. It expands Medicaid access to behavioral health care by formalizing intern participation in the state's Medicaid plan.
HB 1115 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid program to increase payment rates for mental health services provided to children 19 years of age or younger by 30%. This change directly affects mental health providers who serve Medicaid-eligible children under 19 by raising the reimbursement they receive for these services. The bill mandates a specific 30% rate increase for covered mental health services, without altering eligibility criteria. The policy becomes effective November 1, 2025.
SB 203 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid program to reimburse hospitals 100% of the statewide average nursing facility per diem rate for Medicaid patients who no longer need acute hospital care but require nursing facility-level care upon discharge. This applies specifically when patients cannot be transferred to a nursing facility due to bed shortages or because a court-appointed guardian is pending. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority must seek federal approval to implement this reimbursement, and the bill takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects Medicaid-enrolled patients needing nursing care transitions and the hospitals treating them.
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.
SB 226 changes how Oklahoma reimburses hospitals under its Medicaid program. It requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to pay rural emergency hospitals more for services to Medicaid patients and to pay 25% more for obstetrical care at hospitals certified as "Baby-Friendly" by Baby-Friendly USA. The bill mandates seeking federal approval for the obstetrics reimbursement change and takes effect July 1, 2025. These adjustments directly affect rural emergency hospitals and Baby-Friendly designated hospitals providing maternity care.
SB 1063, the Oklahoma Health Care Safety Net and Affordable Prescriptions Accessibility Act, prohibits health insurers, pharmacy benefits managers, and drug manufacturers from discriminating against healthcare providers participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. It requires equal reimbursement rates for 340B drugs compared to non-340B drugs, bans extra fees or restrictions on these providers, and prevents manufacturers from blocking access to discounted drugs. The law directly affects 340B entities (like community health centers), insurers, and pharmacies, while excluding Oklahoma Medicaid program reimbursements. Enforcement will be handled by the Attorney General and Insurance Commissioner.
SB 253 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid agency (the Oklahoma Health Care Authority) to include specific funding details in its annual budget request. It mandates that the budget reflect new state and federal funding needed to cover the most recent audited costs for reimbursing nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. The audited cost must be calculated using the latest cost report submitted to the agency. This change takes effect November 1, 2025.
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.
HB 2049 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid managed care plans to comply with federal parity laws for mental health and substance use disorder coverage. It mandates regular compliance checks on nonquantitative treatment limitations (like prior authorization), creates a standardized process for handling parity complaints, and requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to publicly report on compliance. The law directly affects Medicaid managed care plans, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and Medicaid beneficiaries seeking mental health or substance use services. Key provisions include contract requirements for parity analysis, public disclosure of compliance reports, and a 30-day deadline for publishing federal reports. The bill became effective November 1, 2025.
