Bill > H0031

This bill amends Florida law to prohibit health insurers, prepaid limited health service organizations (which are organizations that provide certain health services for a prepaid fee), and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) from requiring dentists to provide services at a fee set by the organization unless those services are considered "covered services" under the patient's contract. Covered services are defined as dental care for which reimbursement is available, even if that reimbursement is reduced by things like deductibles, coinsurance, or other limitations. The bill also clarifies that dentists cannot be forced to accept the terms of other contracts with the insurer or related entities as a condition of continuing or renewing their own contracts, with an exception for dentists in group practices who must accept terms negotiated by their group. These changes are intended to provide dentists with more control over their fees for services that are not fully covered by insurance and to prevent insurers from unilaterally dictating prices for non-covered services, and the act applies to contracts entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2014.