Oklahoma’s telehealth landscape: How policy is expanding access to care in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has long been at the forefront of innovation in telemedicine, which transformed the health care industry by allowing patients to access physical and behavioral health care no matter where they are. For rural communities, where providers are often scarce, telemedicine is not just a convenience — it’s a lifeline. Virtual visits may be the only way some rural patients can access services, especially for specialized types of care.

One of Oklahoma’s recent milestones in advancing telemedicine was the state’s 2021 telehealth payment parity law, Senate Bill 674. The law required insurance companies to cover telemedicine services at the same rate as in-person visits and expanded the definition of health care professionals to include mental health clinicians.

In our newest policy analysis, we evaluate the progress of telemedicine in Oklahoma, examining the impact of recent telehealth parity laws and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to care, including in rural parts of the state.

Key takeaways

• Oklahoma furthered its reputation as a leader in telehealth innovation with its 2021 telehealth payment parity law, Senate Bill 674, which requires insurance companies to cover telemedicine services at the same rate as in-person visits, including for mental health care.
• Research has shown that telehealth payment parity laws improve and expand access to care.
• Telehealth services are especially important for expanding access to care for rural residents, and policymakers can work to eliminate infrastructure and technology obstacles that hinder rural telehealth initiatives.
• Oklahoma must ensure it has comprehensive data collection, staffing, and resources needed to complete a thorough analysis of SB 674’s impact and long-term outcomes.
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