The ADA has offered its support for a bipartisan Senate bill that would ban noncovered service contract provisions in dental and vision plans.
In a November 13 letter, the ADA provided "strong support" for the Dental and Optometric Access Act, also known as the DOC Access Act. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), would prohibit dental insurance plans from mandating what dentists and physicians can charge for services not included in the plan.
"It is unreasonable for dental plans to set fees for services in which the plans have no financial liability, and that is why 40 states have enacted laws that limit interference with the doctor-patient relationship when the doctor delivers services insurers do not cover," wrote ADA President Dr. Daniel Klemmedson and Executive Director Dr. Kathleen O'Loughlin.
The letter went on to state that the status quo of dental plan administration doesn't benefit competition in the dental plan market. The ADA leadership also argued the act will help patients access high-quality care by leveling the playing field for contract negotiations between owner dentists and large insurance companies.
