This bill amends various chapters of the General Laws related to insurance, specifically focusing on the payment methods between dental plans or healthcare entities and dentists. It establishes that no contract between a dental plan or other healthcare entity and a dentist for the provision of services to beneficiaries shall require the dentist to accept payment exclusively by means of any form of payment method that requires dentists to pay fees or charges to release payment, including virtual credit cards. A dental plan or other healthcare entity may initiate or change to a payment methodology that requires dentists to pay fees or charges to release payment, including virtual credit card payments, only if the dental plan or healthcare entity informs the dentist of all available methods of payment, provides clear and accessible instructions for the selection of an alternative method of payment, ensures that the dentist may exercise such selection without restriction, and the provider or a designee of the provider elects, through express acceptance, to accept a payment of the claim using the credit card or electronic funds transfer payment method. Violation of express acceptance nullifies any election on claim payment methodology until such time as express agreement is executed.

Additionally, the bill prohibits the dental plan, the healthcare entity, or any affiliated healthcare payments platform from imposing any fee or charge upon the dentist for access to payment or claims data, the transmission or processing of payment, or the issuance or mailing of payment. The bill defines several key terms, including "alternative payment method," "express acceptance," and "virtual credit card," to clarify the provisions. This act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.