MA S696

Creates new Chapter 176Y requiring Provider Network Entities that sell, rent, or lease access to dental networks to maintain signed written agreements with all participating dentists and disclose which third-party health plans can access those networks

Mandates that dentists receive at initial contracting a list of all third-party plans using their network, applicable fee schedules for each plan, credentialing practices, and administrative procedures

Requires third-party health plans to notify customers when using leased dental networks, provide annual reports on subscriber utilization by network entity, and maintain consistent credentialing and quality standards across all networks—or disclose when standards differ

Provider directories must indicate when listed dentists are accessed through a leased network arrangement rather than a direct contract with the health plan

Third-party health plans leasing dental networks must receive prior written approval from the Commissioner of Insurance following a public hearing, with approval denied if fee schedules or premiums are unreasonable, excessive, inadequate, or discriminatory