Read the full stored bill text
Req. No. 14074 Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
HOUSE BILL 4460 By: Newton
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to health insurance; defining terms;
providing patient protection; establishing health
plan responsibilities; providing requirements for
payment for clinicians and hospitals; providing for
enforcement; providing for codification; and
providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 6587 of Title 36, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
As used in this act:
1. "Allowed amount" means the maximum payment the health plan
shall pay for a covered health care service, inclusive of a
patient's responsibility;
2. "Clinician" means a health care professional qualified in
the clinical practice of medicine;
3. "Cost share" means any copayments, coinsurance, deductibles,
and any other out-of-pocket expenses required by a patient's
Req. No. 14074 Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
commercial health plan, as defined in state and federal law and
regulations where applicable and inclusive of all cost-sharing
obligations under the enrollee's commercial health plan;
4. "Health plan" means an insurance policy or contract, medical
or hospital service agreement, membership or subscription contract,
or other arrangement under which health services for commercially
insured individuals are provided or the expenses of such services
are reimbursed and paid; and
5. "Provider" means any licensed health care professional or
facility providing medical services to patients.
SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 6588 of Title 36, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. Health plans issuing commercially insured products and
benefits shall be solely responsible for collecting the patient
cost-sharing amounts directly from enrollees.
B. Health plans shall not cancel or terminate coverage or
impose penalties due to an enrollee's nonpayment of cost-sharing
obligations.
C. Health plans shall, at minimum, meet all state timely
payment requirements for payment to the provider.
D. Health plans shall provide enrollees with affordable payment
plans for cost-sharing amounts owed and due under the terms of the
enrollees' commercially insured benefits.
Req. No. 14074 Page 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 6589 of Title 36, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. Health plans shall pay full in-network or out-of-network
allowable amounts, inclusive of both payer and patient share, for
services rendered directly by clinicians or hospitals in a timely
manner, regardless of when or whether the patient has paid their
cost share.
B. Health plans shall not contractually require clinicians to
collect patient cost-sharing amounts.
SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 6590 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
Health plans found in violation of this act shall be subject to
penalties, including but not limited to, fines and sanctions as
determined by the Attorney General.
SECTION 5. This act shall become effective November 1, 2026.
60-2-14074 TJ 12/04/25