Physicians applaud new law limiting care interference

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma physicians are applauding a new law aimed at limiting insurance company interference on patient medical care. House Bill 3190, known as the Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act, that is now in place.

The law, in effect Jan. 1, was designed to give physicians and patients more control over prescribed patient care. Among its provision, the new law sets limits on insurance company prior authorization decisions for care recommended by a physician. Insurance companies must issue a determination for urgent care services within 72 hours and decisions regarding non-urgent services are required within seven days, according to Dr. Edgar “Bud” Boyd, president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association. Additionally, the law ensures that all prior authorization denials and appeals shall be reviewed by a physician or licensed mental health professional. No longer will care be unnecessarily delayed or will decisions be made solely by an arbitrary computer algorithm, he said.

“Insurance company denials and delays put patients’ lives at risk,” he said. “This law will require a faster process and physician review – as opposed to perpetual delays and denials issued by artificial intelligence, despite a doctor’s recommendation. It’s a good day for patients in Oklahoma.”

Boyd said he was grateful to the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Carl Newton and Sen. Jessica Garvin, for “their leadership as well as to the members of the Legislature who passed it unanimously and Governor Kevin Stitt for signing it into law.”

“I look forward to working with our elected officials in 2025 to further protect the rights of patients and their ability to receive the health care they need,” he said.

The Oklahoma State Medical Association is the leading health care voice for patients, physicians and families. OSMA connects nearly 4,000 Oklahoma physicians and medical students to help physicians practice medicine better and enhance healthcare for all Oklahomans.