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Senate approves bill amending dental billing rules; PEHP concerns addressed
Summary
Senators approved Senate Bill 44, an amendment affecting dental plan billing that sponsors say prevents contracts from requiring providers to perform services at fees not covered by the plan. PEHP raised concerns about discount plans; the Senate passed SB44 as amended by roll call (29-0).
The Utah Senate approved an amendment to Senate Bill 44 aimed at clarifying that dental plans cannot contractually require providers to perform services at fees unless those services are covered by the plan.
On the floor, a chamber speaker explained that as amended the bill would prevent contracts entered into after January 1 from requiring a dentist to perform services at a set fee unless those services are actually covered by the plan. PEHP raised concerns that the language could inadvertently affect discount plans; the sponsor and staff discussed an amendment to address that point.
Senator Christensen moved that SB44, as amended, be read for a third time. The clerk later reported the bill had received 29 "yay" votes and 0 "nay" votes. The sponsor said similar measures have passed in other states and that the changes protect patients and align billing practices with covered services.
The bill now proceeds to the next steps in the legislative process.
