Illinois, Louisiana and Rhode Island recently advanced legislation affecting dental reimbursement, cancer care and opioid prescribing.
- Illinois – Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed HB 4464, which protects dental providers from reimbursement processing fees. The bill prohibits insurers from requiring providers to accept payments carrying credit card or electronic transaction fees, requires express provider consent and disclosure of associated fees and prohibit contractual waivers of these protections. The law takes effect Jan. 1.
- Louisiana – SB 155 requires insurers to cover medically necessary dental evaluations, imaging, examinations and extractions for cancer patients when needed before treatment to address infection, tooth loss or decay. The law excludes traditional dental plans and applies to policies issued or renewed beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Existing policies must comply by Jan. 1, 2028.
- Rhode Island – SB 3259 limits opioid prescriptions for acute pain to a seven-day supply and 20 doses for minors. It also requires pain assessments, prescription monitoring program reviews and documentation, with exceptions for certain chronic or severe conditions. The law took effect upon enactment.
Visit AAOMS.org/TrackingMap for a full list of legislation being tracked by the Association.
