summary
Introduced
10/15/2025
10/15/2025
In Committee
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill sets requirements on certain health insurance plans that rent their networks of dental service providers to other entities. Under the bill, a defined network plan (which includes a health maintenance organization), a preferred provider plan, a limited service health organization, or other insurer that covers dental services and engages in the practice of renting its network of dental service providers must include in any contract with a dental service provider a notification that it engages in the practice of network rental and a list of all current entities to which the network may be rented. The bill also requires the plan, organization, or insurer to notify a dental service provider that it has entered into an agreement with an entity under which the dental service provider[s contract is rented to the entity. The notification must identify the entity and be provided within 45 days of the date of the rental of the contract on which the plan, organization, or insurer enters into the agreement. The bill requires a person who obtains a network of dental service providers to abide by all terms and conditions of a dental service provider[s original contract. Additionally, the bill allows a dental service provider to terminate his or her participation in the contract with the entity to which his or her contract has been rented without terminating the original contract.
AI Summary
This bill establishes new rules for dental insurance provider networks when they "rent" or share their network of dental service providers with other insurance entities. Specifically, the bill requires that when a dental insurance plan rents out its network of providers, it must: 1) inform dental service providers in their contract that network rental may occur and list the current entities that might use the network, 2) notify dental providers within 45 days if their contract is rented to another entity, identifying the specific entity, and 3) ensure that any entity renting the network must abide by the original contract's terms, including existing discounted rates. Additionally, the bill gives dental service providers the right to terminate their participation with the entity renting the network without canceling their original contract with the initial insurance plan. The bill applies to these new requirements for any contracts entered into, modified, or renewed after the bill's effective date, providing a clear transition period for existing agreements to be updated.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (13)
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Lindee Brill (R)*,
Rick Gundrum (R)*,
Paul Melotik (R)*,
Christine Sinicki (D)*,
Nancy VanderMeer (R)*,
Chuck Wichgers (R)*,
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D),
Mary Felzkowski (R),
Dan Feyen (R),
Steve Nass (R),
Melissa Ratcliff (D),
Mark Spreitzer (D),
Last Action
Laid on the table (on 01/22/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab542 |
| AB542 ROCP for Committee on Insurance | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/insurance/1962936.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB542.pdf |
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