A. 1. Any person who intentionally or knowingly pays to or accepts anything of value from any person, firm, association of persons, partnership, or corporation for securing or soliciting patients for any psychiatric or chemical dependency facility in this state shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punishable by payment of a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and not more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00).

2. In addition to any other penalties or remedies provided by law:

a.a violation of this section shall be grounds for disciplinary action by the state agency licensing, certifying, or registering such professional or provider, and

b.the state agency licensing, certifying, or registering such professional or provider may institute an action to enjoin a violation or potential violation of this section. The action for an injunction shall be in addition to any other action, proceeding, or remedy authorized by law.

B. This section shall not be construed to prohibit:

1. Advertising, except that advertising which:

a.is false, misleading or deceptive,

b.advertises professional superiority or the performance of a professional service in a superior manner, and

c.is not readily subject to verification;

2. Remuneration for advertising, marketing or other services that are provided for the purpose of securing or soliciting patients, provided the remuneration is:

a.set in advance,

b.consistent with the fair market value of the services, and

c.not based on the volume or value of any patient referrals or business otherwise generated between the parties; and

3. Any payment, business arrangements, or payments practice not prohibited by 42 U.S.C., Section 1320a-7b(b), or any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

C. This section shall not apply to licensed insurers, including but not limited to, group hospital service corporations, or health maintenance organizations which reimburse, provide, offer to provide, or administer hospital, medical, dental, or other health-related benefits under a health benefits plan for which it is the payor when it is providing those services under a health benefits plan.

D. For purposes of this section:

1. "Health or mental health care professional" means any person who offers or provides counseling or health or mental health care under a license, certification or registration issued pursuant to Title 59 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and any drug and alcohol counselor certified by a private professional organization or association that offers drug and alcohol certification; and

2. "Health care provider" means any hospital or related institution offering or providing outpatient or inpatient psychiatric or chemical dependency care licensed pursuant to Section 1-702 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or private facility offering inpatient or outpatient psychiatric or chemical dependency care licensed or certified pursuant to Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Added by Laws 1992, c. 356, § 1, emerg. eff. June 4, 1992.