The bill amends various sections of the General Laws related to dental benefits corporations and their contracts with healthcare service contractors and dentists. It introduces the definition of "Covered services," which refers to dental care services eligible for reimbursement under an enrollee's plan contract, subject to certain contractual limitations. Additionally, it clarifies that "Dental plan" includes any insurance policy issued by a healthcare service contractor that covers dental services independently of a medical plan.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that contracts between healthcare service contractors and dentists cannot mandate that dentists provide services at a specific fee unless those services are classified as covered services. This provision is reinforced across multiple sections, ensuring that no agreements or contracts can impose fee requirements on dentists for services that are not covered. The amendments aim to protect dentists from being compelled to provide services at predetermined fees for non-covered services, thereby enhancing the clarity and fairness of dental benefit contracts.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 176B-7, 176E-7, 176G-21, 176I-2