Bill > HB335

This bill modifies the Texas Insurance Code to change how dental providers are paid under health benefit plans. Specifically, the bill removes the previous requirement that payment for noncontracting (out-of-network) dentists be the same as for contracting (in-network) dentists. Instead, the bill maintains provisions allowing patients to assign their payment rights to the dentist and requires health plans to provide payment methods that give dentists 100% of the contracted amount without charging fees to access those payments. The bill also mandates that health plans disclose any associated payment fees on their websites and upon request. These changes will apply only to health benefit plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, with the bill itself taking effect on September 1, 2025. The key modification appears to be giving health plans more flexibility in how they reimburse noncontracting dental providers while still ensuring transparency and full payment access for dentists.

Business and Industry

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB335