Here are six things to know.
1. Oklahoma legislation has required insurers to cover 28 state-mandated benefits in their individual, group or health maintenance organization plans, according to the report.
2. The ACA also added 10 essential benefits insurers must cover, including prescription drugs and prenatal care, reports NPR.
3. Under House Bill 1712, in-state insurers would not have to include all state-mandated benefits in individual or small-group plans, reports Oklahoma Watch. The bill did not make it to a House floor vote this year, but it could be up for consideration in 2018, according to the report.
4. Under Senate Bill 478, insurers outside of Oklahoma would be able to issue health and accident plans in the state, according to the report. If Senate Bill 478 passed, in-state providers would also be able to provide “‘comparable’ plans to those from out of state that have more flexible standards,” the report sates. This proposed legislation passed the state Senate but would still need to pass the state House.
5. In addition to the two proposed bills, Oklahoma may seek a waiver easing the federal essential benefits rules, according to the report.
6. Supporters of the proposed insurance changes in Oklahoma contend the provisions could lower premiums and encourage competition, while healthcare leaders believe the changes would negatively affect state residents by threatening their coverage, among other things, according to the report.
Read the full report here.
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