House Bill No. 1853, introduced by Schreiber, aims to enhance the flexibility of health care payment options for enrollees in Oklahoma. The bill defines key terms such as "health care service" and "health benefit plan," and establishes that individuals can pay for medical expenses out-of-pocket. It mandates that insurance providers must count these out-of-pocket payments toward deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, provided that the enrollee has negotiated a lower cost than the average amount paid by the carrier to network providers for similar services. The bill also outlines documentation requirements for enrollees to submit to their insurance carriers to ensure that their payments are recognized.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the amount counted toward an enrollee's out-of-pocket expenses cannot exceed the total amount required during a specified contract period and does not carry over into subsequent contract periods. The legislation is set to take effect on November 1, 2025, and aims to provide greater financial transparency and options for individuals seeking health care services.