Bill > H5044

This bill clarifies definitions and regulations for financial services contracts related to dental benefits corporations, which are organizations that provide dental care coverage. It defines "covered services" as dental care for which reimbursement is available under a plan, even if certain limitations like deductibles or copayments apply, and also defines "dental plan" to include insurance policies for dental services not connected to medical plans. Crucially, the bill prohibits contracts between health care service contractors (companies that manage health plans) and dentists, or agreements with dentists, from forcing dentists to accept fees set by the contractor unless the dental services are considered "covered services." This aims to prevent dental plans from dictating fees for services that aren't fully covered by the plan, ensuring dentists are not compelled to provide services at a loss. Similar provisions are extended to dental service corporations, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and preferred provider arrangements (PPAs) to ensure dentists are only required to accept contracted fees for covered dental services.

Health and Social Services

Joint Committee on Financial Services (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5044