All Roll Calls
Yes: 126 • No: 2
OklahomaSB 1553Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Medicaid; specifying certain qualifications for appeals; providing for recovery of certain costs. Effective date.
Sponsored By: Spencer Kern (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Standard appeals and fair hearings for Medicaid
Beginning November 1, 2026, Oklahoma Medicaid uses one standard appeals process set by the Health Care Authority. The Authority creates clear steps for members and providers to ask a plan to review a denied decision. If the plan upholds the denial, the member or provider can ask the Authority for a fair hearing. Fair hearings follow federal rules in 42 C.F.R. Part 431.
Stronger clinical review for Medicaid appeals
Beginning November 1, 2026, a licensed clinician reviews every Medicaid appeal. The reviewer must match the service specialty and have an active U.S. license. They cannot have worked on the original denial or have a financial stake. They must review medical records and relevant medical literature. Plans cannot use automated software to decide appeals.
Six-month deadline for provider claim appeals
Beginning November 1, 2026, a provider has six months to appeal a claim denial. The six-month clock starts the day the provider receives the denial notice. Appeals filed after that window are untimely.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Spencer Kern
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Toni Hasenbeck
Republican • House
Toni Hasenbeck
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 90 • No: 2
House vote • 4/15/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 13 • No: 0
House vote • 4/15/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 13 • No: 0
House vote • 4/1/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 4/1/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/25/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/25/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/25/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/25/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/16/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor 05/12/2026
5/13/2026SenateSent to Governor
5/6/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/6/2026HouseEnrolled, to House
5/6/2026SenateReferred for enrollment
5/6/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/6/2026HouseThird Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 90 Nays: 2
5/6/2026HouseGeneral Order
5/6/2026HouseCR; Do Pass Health and Human Services Oversight Committee
4/16/2026HousePolicy recommendation to the Health and Human Services Oversight committee; Do Pass Public Health
4/1/2026HouseReferred to Public Health
3/30/2026HouseSecond Reading referred to Health and Human Services Oversight
3/30/2026HouseFirst Reading
3/26/2026HouseEngrossed to House
3/26/2026SenateReferred for engrossment
3/25/2026SenateMeasure passed: Ayes: 45 Nays: 0
3/25/2026SenateAyes: 42 Nays: 0
3/25/2026SenateAdvanced to Third Reading
3/25/2026SenateTitle restored
3/25/2026SenateGeneral Order, Amended
3/25/2026SenateCoauthored by Representative Hasenbeck (principal House author)
3/24/2026SenatePlaced on General Order
2/24/2026SenateWithdrawn from Appropriations committee
2/24/2026SenateReferred to Appropriations
2/16/2026SenateTitle stricken
2/16/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/7/2026
Floor (House)
4/20/2026
House Committee Report
4/16/2026
House Policy Committee Report
4/1/2026
Engrossed
3/26/2026
Floor (Senate)
2/24/2026
Senate Committee Report
2/16/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
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