HOUSE APPROVES PAE BILL EXPANDING INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR OKLAHOMANS WITH EPILEPSY

The following information was released by the Oklahoma House of Representatives:

A measure aimed at improving access to care and strengthening health insurance protections for the over 40,000 Oklahomans living with epilepsy has been passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, authored House Bill 4294 to require individual and group health insurance policies providing medical and surgical benefits to offer the same coverage protections to individuals diagnosed with epilepsy as they would to those without the condition. The measure also prohibits insurers from terminating or refusing coverage based solely on an epilepsy diagnosis.

The bill also requires insurance plans to cover medically necessary neurostimulation devices when prescribed by a licensed physician treating the patient. These devices can help reduce or prevent seizures for individuals whose epilepsy does not respond to medication alone.

"Epilepsy can be life-altering for those living with it, as well as for their loved ones," Pae said. "Under House Bill 4294, the tens of thousands of Oklahomans with epilepsy would no longer be unfairly penalized by their insurance coverage. By expanding access to treatments and proven medical technology, patients and their doctors can fully pursue the care that works best for them."

According to the Epilepsy Foundation of Oklahoma, around 41,000 Oklahomans are diagnosed with epilepsy.

Last year, Pae authored Dylan's Law, a measure improving education and awareness around Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), a fatal complication of epilepsy. The law is named for Dylan Cheatwood, who passed away in 2017 from SUDEP, and took effect Nov. 1, 2025.

Having passed the House 63-32, HB4294 moves to the Senate for consideration. It's authored in the Senate by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City.