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Bill

SB 1036

Ambulance service; requiring coverage for certain services. Effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dave Rader and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma bill mandates health insurance coverage for specified ambulance transport services to reduce patient costs and ensure provider reimbursement.

Placed on General Order
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1036

Legislative bill overview

SB 1036 requires health insurance plans in Oklahoma to cover certain ambulance services. The bill specifies which ambulance transport services must be included in insurance coverage and establishes an effective date for these coverage requirements.

Why is this important

Ambulance services are expensive and often unexpected medical costs. This bill addresses whether insurance must cover these critical emergency transport services, which directly affects both patient out-of-pocket expenses and ambulance service provider reimbursement rates.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: Disagreement over which ambulance services qualify (emergency vs. non-emergency, ground vs. air transport, medically necessary vs. elective transfers)
  • Insurance premium impact: Insurers may argue mandatory coverage increases premiums for all policyholders, while consumer advocates counter that shared risk is insurance's purpose
  • Rural ambulance funding: Questions about whether coverage mandates adequately reimburse rural ambulance services, which often operate on thin margins and may not survive on insurance reimbursements alone
  • "Certain services" ambiguity: The bill's vague language about "certain services" leaves room for interpretation disputes between insurers, providers, and regulators during implementation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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