SB43 Summary

• Requires all health benefit plans issued or renewed in Oklahoma on or after January 1, 2012 to fully cover health care services deemed medically necessary by a health care professional to treat a health condition, illness, injury, or disease.

• Excludes elective procedures that would terminate pregnancy from the coverage requirement.

• Defines "medically necessary" as services that follow generally accepted medical standards, are clinically appropriate, not primarily for convenience, and not more costly than alternative services with equivalent results.

• Directs the Insurance Commissioner to promulgate rules to implement the law's provisions.

• Effective date: November 1, 2011.