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HSB 182

A bill for an act relating to notice to dental care providers that a dental care service plan is state-regulated.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Requires dental plans to label state-regulated on IDs issued after July 1, 2025 and notify providers via an online portal when a plan is state-regulated, boosting transparency.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 874.
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Bill Summary · HSB 182

Summary: HSB 182 (renumbered HF 874) — Notice to Providers that a Dental Care Service Plan is State-Regulated

Overview

HSB 182, introduced February 17, 2025, proposes to require dental care carriers to notify dental care providers when a covered person’s dental care service plan is subject to state insurance laws or the jurisdiction of the state’s insurance commissioner. The bill also requires the plan to display a “state-regulated” designation on patient identification cards issued on or after July 1, 2025. The measure was approved by the committee and renumbered as HF 874.

Key Provisions

  • Establishes a new section, 514C.3D, governing state regulation notice for dental care service plans.
  • Definitions (for the purpose of this section) include:
    • Commissioner: the commissioner of insurance.
    • Covered person, Dental care provider, Dental care service plan, Dental carrier: aligned with the existing 514C.3C definitions.
  • Notice requirements for dental carriers:
    • Disclosure to a dental care provider, via an online dental care provider portal or other easily accessible means, that the covered person’s dental care service plan is state-regulated.
    • Display the explicit label “state-regulated” on the electronic or physical identification card of the covered person issued on or after July 1, 2025.
  • The explanatory material clarifies that the bill concerns notice to providers about regulatory status and does not implicate broader policy changes beyond notice.

Definitions and Scope

  • Applies to dental care service plans that are subject to:
    • Iowa (or respective state) insurance laws and regulations, or
    • The jurisdiction of the state insurance commissioner.
  • The disclosure obligations pertain to communications with dental care providers and to patient identification materials.

Applicability and Methods of Notice

  • Notice Delivery:
    • Through an online portal accessible to dental care providers.
    • Or via other easily accessible means acceptable under the bill.
  • Card Labeling:
    • A clear “state-regulated” designation must be included on the identification card for covered persons on or after July 1, 2025.

Timeline and Legislative History

  • Introduced: February 17, 2025, and referred to the Commerce committee.
  • Subcommittee: February 17, 2025 meeting; recommended passage (February 25, 2025).
  • Subcommittee action: Recommendation to pass.
  • Committee actions:
    • February 25, 2025: Subcommittee recommendation.
    • March 4, 2025: Committee recommended amendment and passage; committee vote 23 yeas, 0 nays.
    • March 7, 2025: Committee report approving bill; renumbered as HF 874.

Potential Impact

  • For dental carriers and plans:
    • Increases transparency by clearly signaling regulatory status to providers, potentially aiding in claims processing, contract interpretation, and regulatory compliance.
    • May require systems changes to support an online provider portal disclosure and to ensure card labeling is implemented by the July 1, 2025 deadline.
  • For dental care providers:
    • Easier verification of whether a plan is state-regulated, which can affect coverage determinations and regulatory assessments.
  • For consumers:
    • Clarity on whether their plan is regulated under state insurance laws, visible on the ID card.

Notes

  • The bill’s explanatory text emphasizes that the notice requirement is a procedural change aimed at informing providers about regulatory status; it does not alter plan benefits or protections beyond notification.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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