CA AB1629

Requires dental plans and health insurers to pay out-of-network dental providers directly for covered services when the patient signs a written assignment of benefits form, rather than reimbursing only the patient

Mandates that out-of-network dental providers disclose to patients before treatment that they are non-contracted, that in-network care may cost less, and provide a cost estimate including the patient's portion

Requires dental plans and insurers to provide predeterminations or prior authorizations to dental providers and prohibits reimbursing less than the predetermined amount, except for fraud, billing errors, or coverage loss

Directs the Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance to review the adequacy of entire dental provider networks, including portions serving plans and insurers not regulated by their respective department

Exempts Medi-Cal managed care contracts, including dental managed care contracts, from the assignment of benefits provisions