Insurance department, providers and PERS debate dental loss‑ratio reporting and a 75% threshold; committee seeks more data

Lawmakers and stakeholders debated House Bill 1481, a proposal to require dental insurers to report detailed dental loss‑ratio data to the state and to set a minimum dental loss‑ratio requirement intended to ensure consumers receive a stated share of premium back in dental benefits.

Crystal (Insurance Department staff) and department actuaries urged a phased, data‑first approach: require standardized reporting by insurers so the department can produce an apples‑to‑apples public report and then consider any statutory minimum later. The department’s proposed reporting language would require dental insurers that sell or offer coverage in the state to file an annual report organized by market (individual, small group, large group) and product type, in a format prescribed by the commissioner; the department would publish the information on its website.

Supporters of a statutory minimum loss ratio argued consumers and employers should see a larger portion of premium spent on benefits. William…