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Committee advances bill to shorten dental credentialing timelines for insurers
Summary
House Bill 402, as amended, would require credentialing for dentists (and dental hygienists in the committee substitute) to be completed within a 30‑day timeline once full paperwork is submitted; the committee adopted a committee substitute and gave the bill a do‑pass recommendation to the next stage.
The House Health and Human Services Committee adopted a committee substitute and gave House Bill 402 a do‑pass recommendation after testimony that slow credentialing delays dentists from joining insurance networks and serving Medicaid patients.
Sponsor testimony noted New Mexico’s shortage of dental providers, especially in rural and underserved communities, and the bill would mirror a 2023 change that shortened credentialing timelines for physicians (Senate Bill 232). The committee substitute incorporates language adopted by the House Health Committee to change references from “physician” to “dentist” and expands coverage to dental hygienists.
Tom Scripps, executive director of the New Mexico Dental Association and a practicing dentist in Albuquerque, told the committee the measure would relieve a known barrier: “This has definitely been a problem for dentists, and we’re appreciative that we'll have this possible relief.” Michael Moxie, a registered lobbyist for the New Mexico Dental Association, and David Monsonatos, a general dentist with Presbyterian Medical Services, also testified in support, describing credentialing delays’ effect on entry to the workforce and patient access.
Roy Soto (transcript spelling: “Roy So to”), a lobbyist for Choice Healthcare Services that operates rural clinics, also supported the bill and urged expedited carrier credentialing so providers in Deming, Gallup and other communities can serve children and low‑income patients.
Committee staff distributed the committee substitute (number 231438.1). Representative Luhan moved a do‑pass; Representative Zamora seconded. The committee recorded no opposition and the bill moved forward with an adopted committee substitute.
