Members of the Indiana Senate presented SB 132, which establishes accountability for dental insurers in the state.
The bill prevents insurers from setting fees for dental services that are not covered under an insurance plan, limits third-party access to provider network contracts, and bars companies from retaliating if dental providers choose to not participate in third-party access, according to a Jan. 9 news release from Indiana Senate Republicans.
In addition, the bill calls for expedited payments by allowing insurers to pay a benefit to a dental service provider directly. Under the current system, the benefit is sent to the individual who received the service, who then has to pass it on to the provider.
If an insurance company violates a cease and desist order from the Indiana Department of Insurance commissioner, they will be subject to a penalty of no more than $10,000 for each day the order is violated.
The bill was authored by state Sens. Liz Brown and Ed Charbonneau, the release said.