Federal dental insurance reform legislation introduced

The Improving Dental Administration (IDA) Act (HR 7931) – a new approach to federal dental insurance reform initiated by the ADA – was introduced on March 12 by U.S. Reps. Jeff Van Drew, DMD (R-N.J.) and Herb Conaway, MD (D-N.J.). The bill would apply a state’s dental insurance laws to self-funded dental plans and their administrators operating in the state, closing the ERISA loophole. AAOMS advocated in support of the IDA Act at Day on the Hill, signed onto a coalition letter thanking sponsors for introducing the bill and launched a grassroots campaign in which AAOMS members can urge their constituent members of Congress to cosponsor the bill. AAOMS also continues to support the DOC Access Act (HR 1521), which was reintroduced last year and would prohibit dental plans, including self-funded or ERISA plans, from setting the fees network doctors may charge for services not covered by the insurers.