Bill > SB2166

This bill amends existing Oklahoma law regarding damages in personal injury lawsuits by defining key terms such as "factoring company" (a business that buys medical debts at a discount), "health plan" (various forms of health insurance and government programs), "health care provider" (doctors, hospitals, etc.), "letter of protection" (a promise to pay a medical provider from a future lawsuit settlement or judgment), and "medical services or treatment." The bill's primary provision limits the amount of damages recoverable for past and future medical services or treatment to the actual amounts paid or obligated to be paid, considering health plan coverage, letters of protection, and factoring company purchases, rather than the higher amounts originally billed by providers. It also outlines specific types of evidence admissible to prove these damages, including what a health plan would have paid or what a third party paid for a debt. Furthermore, if a plaintiff seeks damages related to a letter of protection, they must disclose the letter itself, itemized medical charges, details of any sale of those charges to a factoring company, and information about their health plan coverage and any referrals for treatment. The bill also specifies that evidence of referrals made by an attorney to a medical provider, and the financial relationship between them, is relevant to potential bias. This bill will become effective on November 1, 2026.