A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an insurer shall not deny enrollment of a child under the health plan of the child's parent on the grounds that:

1. The child was born out of wedlock;

2. The child is not claimed as a dependent on the parent's federal income tax return; or

3. The child does not reside with the parent or in the insurer's service area.

B. If a child has health coverage through an insurer of a noncustodial parent the insurer shall:

1. Upon request, provide complete information to the custodial person, the designated agency administering the State Medicaid Program, the state agency administering the provisions of 42 U.S.C., Sections 5 through 669, or the Child Support Enforcement Division of the Department of Human Services, regarding any insurance benefits to which the child is entitled, and any forms, publications, or documents necessary to apply for or to utilize the benefits available through that coverage;

2. Permit the custodial person, the designated agency administering the State Medicaid Program, or the provider with approval, to submit claims for covered services without the approval of the noncustodial parent; and

3. Make payments on claims submitted in accordance with paragraph 2 of this subsection directly to the custodial person, the provider, or the designated agency administering the State Medicaid Program.

C. When a parent is required by a court or administrative order to provide health coverage for a child, and the parent is eligible for family health coverage, the insurer shall be required:

1. To permit the parent to enroll, under the family coverage, a child who is otherwise eligible for the coverage without regard to any enrollment season restrictions;

2. To enroll the child under family coverage and deduct the employee’s cost of the coverage from the employee's wages. The enrollment shall be made upon application to the employer by the custodial person, the designated agency administering the State Medicaid Program, or the state agency administering the provisions of 42 U.S.C., Sections 5 to 669, the Child Support Enforcement Division; and

3. Not to disenroll, or eliminate coverage for the child unless the insurer is provided satisfactory written evidence that:

a.the court or administrative order is no longer in effect, or

b.the child is or will be enrolled in comparable health coverage through another insurer which will take effect not later than the effective date of disenrollment;

provided, however, the provisions of this subsection shall not apply where the coverage is through a group plan and the group’s coverage through the insurer is discontinued or the noncustodial parent ceases to be eligible for participation in the group plan.

D. An insurer may not impose requirements on a state agency, which has been assigned the rights of an individual eligible for medical assistance under Medicaid and covered for health benefits from the insurer, that are different from requirements applicable to an agent or assignee of any other individual covered.

E. As used in this section, "insurer" includes a licensed insurance company, not-for-profit hospital service or medical indemnity corporation, a fraternal benefit society, a health maintenance organization, a prepaid plan, a preferred provider organization, a multiple employer welfare arrangement, a self-insured, the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board, or any other entity providing a plan of health insurance or health benefits in this state.

F. If child support services are being provided under the state child support plan as provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the Child Support Enforcement Division shall notify the parent’s employer to enroll the child in health care coverage available under the employer’s plan by sending the employer a National Medical Support Notice issued pursuant to Section 466(a)(19) of the Social Security Act, and Section 609(a)(5)(C) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as soon as the National Medical Support Notice is promulgated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The insurer, upon receipt from the employer of Part B of the National Medical Support Notice to Plan Administrator, shall comply with Part B of the National Medical Support Notice. The insurer may be fined up to Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per month per child for each failure to comply with the requirements of the National Medical Support Notice. Fines collected shall be remitted to the Child Support Revenue Enhancement Fund created pursuant to Section 225 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

G. The Department of Human Services shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 27, § 1, emerg. eff. April 7, 1994. Amended by Laws 1998, c. 323, § 6, eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Laws 2001, c. 407, § 3, eff. July 1, 2001; Laws 2002, c. 22, § 12, emerg. eff. March 8, 2002; Laws 2003, c. 19, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2003; Laws 2004, c. 393, § 2, emerg. eff. June 3, 2004.

NOTE: Laws 2001, c. 63, § 1 repealed by Laws 2002, c. 22, § 34, emerg. eff. March 8, 2002