The Dental and Optometric Care Access Act of 2023 was reintroduced March 7 by House Reps. Earl Carter, R-Ga.; Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y.; and Pete Sessions, R-Texas.
The bipartisan bill would prohibit noncovered services provisions in dental and vision plans, including limiting choice of labs and price fixing for noncovered services and materials. It would also limit agreements to two years unless otherwise indicated by the doctor, according to a March 13 news release from the American Optometric Organization.
The ADA voiced its support for the bill in a March 30 letter to the bill’s sponsors, noting that while 45 states have enacted similar laws, federal legislation is needed because many dental plans are regulated on the federal level.
“HR 1385 will provide greater access to high-quality care by helping to curb anti-patient and anti-competitive practices of dental insurance plans,” the ADA said in its letter. “This legislation is crucial to bring needed balance to contract negotiations between providers, who are often small business owners, and large dental insurance companies.”
The AOO said companion legislation is expected to be introduced in the Senate as well as additional support from other advocacy groups.
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