H.R. 7931, the Improving Dental Administration (IDA) Act, would help ensure that state dental insurance laws protecting patients and providers apply consistently to self-funded dental coverage, and not just fully insured plans. Right now, carriers and administrators often argue that ERISA preemption allows them to avoid state laws on issues like prompt payment, noncovered services, virtual credit cards, network leasing, assignment of benefits and prior authorization continuity.
This two-tiered system, where different patients receiving the same care may be subject to different protections based solely on plan design, creates confusion, delay, and expense for both doctors and patients, and often interferes with the doctor-patient relationship. Congress can fix this now by passing H.R. 7931 and finally close the ERISA loophole carriers often use to justify ignoring state dental insurance reform laws.
Take action now and ask your Representative to support H.R. 7931. Raising your voice will help ensure fairness, consistency, and accountability in dental coverage for patients and providers alike.