summary
Introduced
01/15/2026
01/15/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Prohibits an insurer, dental service plan corporation, professional service corporation, insurance network leasing company, or any other company or its contracted vendor that amends, delivers, issues, or renews an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act from requiring a dental care provider to only accept payment from a credit card or electronic funds transfer, in addition to the existing prohibition on incurred fees to access and obtain payment or reimbursement for services provided. Provides that any insurer, dental service plan corporation, professional service corporation, insurance network leasing company, or any other company or its contracted vendor that amends, delivers, issues, or renews an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance may initiate or change payment methodology to a dental care provider using electronic funds transfer payments, including virtual credit card payments, if the specified conditions are met. Sets forth provisions concerning claim payment methodologies and fees for transmitting payments. Provides that the specified dental coverage reimbursement provisions shall not be waived by contract. Effective January 1, 2027.
AI Summary
This bill, effective January 1, 2027, amends the Illinois Insurance Code to prohibit insurers, dental service plan corporations, and other related entities from forcing dental care providers to exclusively accept payments via credit card or electronic funds transfer (EFT), which includes virtual credit card payments, or to charge them fees to access their payments. While these entities can initiate or change payment methods to EFT if certain conditions are met, such as notifying providers of any associated fees and offering clear alternatives that don't impose charges on the provider, the provider must explicitly agree in writing to accept these payment methods. The bill also clarifies that a provider's chosen payment method remains in effect until they request a change or a new contract is signed, and that insurers cannot use a provider's preferred payment method as a factor in credentialing decisions. Furthermore, while dental benefit plans generally cannot charge fees for transmitting payments through the Automated Clearing House Network unless the provider consents, dental care provider agents may charge reasonable fees for additional services. Crucially, these provisions cannot be waived by contract.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate (on 02/18/2026)
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