Oklahoma § 36-6054 - Definitions

§ 36-6054. Definitions

As used in the Health Care Freedom of Choice Act:

1. “Accident and health insurance policy” or “policy” means any

policy, certificate, contract, agreement or other instrument that

provides accident and health insurance, as defined in Section 703 of

this title, to any person in this state;

2. “Ambulatory surgical center” means any ambulatory surgery

facility licensed by the State Department of Health as defined in

Section 2657 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

3. “Home care agency” means any sole proprietorship,

partnership, association, corporation, or other organization which

administers, offers, or provides home care services, for a fee or

pursuant to a contract for such services, to clients in their place

of residence. The term “home care agency” shall not include an

individual who contracts with the Department of Human Services to

provide personal care services; provided, such individual shall not

be exempt from certification as a home health aide;

4. “Hospital” means any facility as defined in Section 1-701 of

Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

5. “Insured” means any person entitled to reimbursement for

expenses of health care services and procedures under an accident

and health insurance policy issued by an insurer;

6. “Insurer” means any entity that provides an accident and

health insurance policy in this state, including but not limited to

a licensed insurance company, a not-for-profit hospital service and

medical indemnity corporation, a fraternal benefit society, a

multiple employer welfare arrangement, or any other entity subject

to regulation by the Insurance Commissioner;

7. “Practitioner” means any person holding a valid license to

practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 36. Insurance

podiatric medicine, optometry or dentistry, pursuant to the state

licensing provisions of Title 59 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

8. “Preferred provider organization (PPO)” means a network of

practitioners, hospitals, home care agencies or ambulatory surgical

centers, which have entered into a contract with an insurer to

provide health care services under the terms and conditions

established in the contract.

Added by Laws 1989, c. 37, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws

1994, c. 342, § 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 1996, c. 76, § 1, eff.

Nov. 1, 1996; Laws 1999, c. 331, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1999.