The bill, H.B. No. 335, amends Section 1451.206(a) of the Insurance Code to enhance payment and reimbursement protocols for both contracting and noncontracting provider dentists under certain health benefit plans. The key changes include the insertion of a requirement that health insurance policies must provide one or more methods of payment or reimbursement that ensure dentists receive 100 percent of the contracted amount without incurring fees to access these payments. Additionally, the bill clarifies that beneficiaries of the plan may assign their right to payment or reimbursement directly to the dentist providing the services.

The provisions of this bill will apply to health benefit plans that are delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Plans that are delivered, issued, or renewed before this date will continue to be governed by the existing law prior to the amendments made by this Act. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Insurance Code 1451.206 (Insurance Code 1451)