SB296 Summary

• Prohibits insurance policies, health maintenance organizations, and health benefit plans issued after January 1 following the effective date from requiring dental care providers to provide services at fees set by the plan unless those services are covered by the plan.

• Defines covered services as dental care for which reimbursement is available under a plan contract, or would be available except for contractual limitations such as deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, waiting periods, frequency limits, or annual/lifetime maximums.

• Permits insurers and third-party administrators to continue restricting balance billing, waiting periods, frequency limitations, deductibles, and maximum annual benefits for covered services.

• Does not apply to corporations organized under Article 6 of Chapter 20 of Title 10A of the Alabama Code or their policies, plans, or contracts.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.