DENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS.

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View NCGA Bill Details2019-2020 Session
Senate Bill 252 (Public) Filed Wednesday, March 13, 2019
AN ACT TO CLARIFY CERTAIN PROVIDER AND PATIENT RIGHTS REGARDING HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN CONTRACTS FOR THE PROVISION OF DENTAL SERVICES.
Intro. by J. Davis.
Status: Ch. SL 2019-26 (Jun 14 2019)

SOG comments (1):

Identical bill

Submitted by jhenders@sog.unc.edu on

Identical to H 704, filed 4/10/19.

Bill History:

S 252/S.L. 2019-26

Bill Summaries:

  • Bill S 252 (2019-2020)
    Summary date: Jun 17 2019 - View Summary

    AN ACT TO CLARIFY CERTAIN PROVIDER AND PATIENT RIGHTS REGARDING HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN CONTRACTS FOR THE PROVISION OF DENTAL SERVICES. Enacted June 14, 2019. Effective January 1, 2020.

    Health and Human Services, Health, Health Care Facilities and Providers, Health Insurance
    GS 58
  • Bill S 252 (2019-2020)
    Summary date: May 2 2019 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition. 

    Deletes proposed GS 58-50-291, prohibiting an insurer who provides a health benefit plan for dental services from using more than 25% of its prepaid charges or premiums for marketing and administrative expenses.

    Makes the following changes to proposed GS 58-50-292 regarding dental provider networks. Changes the statute's terminology, now defining provider network contract rather than dental provider network contract. Excludes from the definition of third party an employer group or other group for which the insurer provides administrative services, including payment of claims. Deletes the statute's substantive provisions. Instead sets forth three conditions that must be met for an insurer to grant a third-party access to its provider network contract, including giving providers in the carrier's network the opportunity to opt out of third party access to the contract at the time the provider network contract is entered or renewed, listing all third parties who have been granted access to the contract on the insurer's website, and the third party complying with the provider network contract's terms. Exempts from the statute's provisions any assignments of, or access to, a provider network contract to an entity operating under the same brand license program as the contracting entity or any affiliates of the contracting entity.

    Deletes the proposed changes to GS 58-3-200(a) and GS 58-3-190(g), which removed dental plans from the kinds of insurance not included in the definition of health benefit plan under those statutes. 

    Instead amends GS 58-3-200(c) to prohibit an insurer from subsequently retracting its determination that services, supplies, or other items are covered under its dental plan after the services, supplies, or other items have been provided, or reduce payments for the same in reliance upon the determination, unless the determination was based on a material misrepresentation about the insured's health condition was knowingly made, as specified. Defines pretreatment estimate.

    Changes the act's effective date to now apply to health benefit contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2020, rather than October 1, 2019.

    Health and Human Services, Health, Health Care Facilities and Providers, Health Insurance
    GS 58
  • Bill S 252 (2019-2020)
    Summary date: Mar 13 2019 - View Summary

    Adds to GS 58-50-290, prohibiting agreements between insurers or other entities and dental service providers contracting for the provision of dental services from containing restrictions on the methods of claim payment whereby the only acceptable payment method from the insurer or entity to the provider is a credit card payment.

    Enacts GS 58-50-291, prohibiting an insurer who provides a health benefit plan for dental services from using more than 25% of its prepaid charges or premiums for marketing and administrative expenses. Requires marketing and administrative expenses to be defined by rule by the Commissioner of Insurance for purposes of the statute. Clarifies that the statute does not affect the applicability of the Chapter's provisions.

    Enacts GS 58-50-292, prohibiting insurers who provide health benefit plans for dental services from providing a third party access to a dental provider network contract or information pertaining to discounts for services pursuant to that dental provider network contract. Defines dental provider network contract to mean a contract between an insurer and a dental services provider specifying the rights and responsibilities of the insurer and the provider for the delivery of and payment for dental services. Defines insurer and third party. Establishes that no provider is bound or required to perform services under a dental provider network contract that has been provided to a third party in violation of the statute. Deems an insurer's willful failure to comply with the statute an unfair and deceptive trade practice actionable under GS Chapter 75. Clarifies that the statute does not foreclose other available remedies under law. 

    Removes dental plans from the kinds of insurance not included in the definition of health benefit plan under GS 58-3-200 (miscellaneous insurance and managed care coverage and network provisions) and GS 58-3-190 (coverage required for emergency care).

    Applies to health and benefit contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after October 1, 2019.

    Health and Human Services, Health, Health Care Facilities and Providers, Health Insurance
    GS 58
View: All Summaries for Bill