Bill > H1174

This bill creates a legal framework for direct dental care agreements in Massachusetts, introducing a new alternative to traditional dental insurance. The legislation defines key terms such as "direct dental care" (which includes screening, assessment, and diagnosis of oral health) and "direct dental care agreements" (contracts between dentists and patients that involve a periodic fee for specific services, rather than traditional fee-for-service insurance billing). Under the proposed law, dentists and patients can voluntarily enter into such agreements, which must clearly outline the services provided, specify the periodic fee and any additional charges, and include provisions for agreement termination. Importantly, the bill stipulates that dentists who engage in these agreements will not be considered insurance companies and will not be subject to insurance division oversight. This approach aims to provide patients with a more flexible and potentially more affordable option for accessing dental care by creating a direct contractual relationship between dentists and patients, bypassing the traditional insurance model.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1174