Bill > S544

This bill aims to increase transparency around dental benefit plans in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: 1. Requiring the Commissioner of Insurance to approve dental benefit policies and collect detailed financial information from carriers offering dental plans, including information on administrative expenses, claims operations, network costs, and more. This data must be made public annually. 2. Establishing a process for the Commissioner to review and potentially disapprove proposed dental plan rate increases, including holding public hearings. 3. Requiring carriers to receive express written consent from dentists before granting third-party access to their provider networks and contractual discounts. This is intended to prevent "leakage" of negotiated rates. 4. Directing the Division of Insurance to establish a uniform methodology for calculating and reporting dental plan medical loss ratios, in consultation with relevant stakeholders. The overall goal is to provide more oversight and transparency around the dental insurance market in Massachusetts to help control costs and ensure affordability for consumers.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S544