2019 -- S 0145

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LC000428

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE - NONPROFIT DENTAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS

     Introduced By: Senators Archambault, Nesselbush, Satchell, and Raptakis

     Date Introduced: January 24, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 27-20.1-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-20.1 entitled

"Nonprofit Dental Service Corporations" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     27-20.1-20. Plan change notices.

     Every entity providing a nonprofit dental service plan as defined in this chapter shall

notify:

     (1) All all dentists providing services under a group or individual policy, contract or

health benefit plan for coverage of dental services, in writing, of any changes to its rules and

regulations, guidelines, policies or procedures concerning coverage of or payment for dental

services. Said notice of changes in terms shall be communicated to the participating dentists by

the dental plan in electronic mail format or, in addition, beginning January 1, 2012 and upon the

written request of the dentist, received by the nonprofit dental service plan on or before December

31, 2011, by U.S. mail, showing the changes in redline format and shall be provided to the

participating dentists no later than fifteen (15) days before the effective date of said changes; and

     (2)(i) All plan purchasers purchasing dental services for employees under a group or

individual policy contract or health benefit plan for coverage of dental services, in writing, of any

changes to its rules and regulations, guidelines, policies or procedures concerning coverage of or

payment for dental services.

     (ii) Said notice of changes in terms shall be communicated to all plan purchasers

purchasing dental services for employees in writing by the dental plan showing the changes in

redline format and shall be provided to the participating plan purchasers no later than fifteen (15)

days before the effective date of said changes.

     (iii) The notice shall demonstrate how these changes in coverage will impact the cost of

the plan, including demonstrable cost savings to the plan purchasers.

     (3)(i) All covered members under a group or individual policy contract or health benefit

plan for coverage of dental services, in writing, of any changes to its rules and regulations,

guidelines, policies or procedures concerning coverage of or payment for dental services.

     (ii) Said notice of changes in terms shall be communicated to the covered members in

writing by the dental plan showing the changes in redline format and shall be provided to the

covered members no later than fifteen (15) days before the effective date of said changes.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE - NONPROFIT DENTAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS

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     This act would require nonprofit dental service plan providers to provide notice of any

changes relating to coverage to all plan purchasers purchasing dental services for employees

under a group or individual policy contract or health benefit plan. This notice would be provided

to the covered member no later than fifteen (15) days before the effective date of the changes.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC000428

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