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Proposal would require dental insurers to rebate premiums if less than 80% is paid in claims
Summary
Senate Bill 335 would require stand‑alone dental insurers licensed in Montana to report a dental loss ratio and rebate premiums to policyholders if less than 80% of premium dollars are paid in claims. Dentists and hygienists backed the bill as consumer protection; insurers warned it could raise premiums and shrink market participation.
Senate Bill 335, sponsored in the House by Sen. Greg Hertz, would require dental insurers that issue stand‑alone dental plans in Montana to meet an 80% dental loss ratio (DLR). If a plan’s claims payments fall below 80% of premium after allowable adjustments, the insurer would have to rebate the difference to covered policyholders.
Proponents including the Montana Dental Association and the Montana Dental Hygienists Association framed the bill as a consumer‑protection measure that forces transparency and returns more premium dollars to patient care. Dr. Michael Bowman, president of the Montana Dental Association, told members he sees patients who pay…
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