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SB 822

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MEDICAL LOSS RATIO FOR DENTAL INSURANCE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Gordon and 2 co-sponsors

Connecticut would require dental insurers to spend a minimum percentage of premiums on actual dental care, increasing consumer protection similar to existing health insurance standards.

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Bill Summary · SB 822

Legislative bill overview

SB 822 would establish a medical loss ratio (MLR) requirement for dental insurance plans in Connecticut, mandating that insurers spend a minimum percentage of premium revenues on actual dental care and related services rather than administrative costs and profits. This mirrors MLR requirements that already exist for health insurance under federal law. The bill aims to increase the proportion of premium dollars that directly benefit consumers through covered dental services.

Why is this important

Dental insurance consumers have limited transparency into how their premiums are allocated, and dental plans currently operate under different regulatory standards than medical insurance. Establishing an MLR would create accountability similar to the Affordable Care Act's requirement that health insurers spend at least 80-85% of premiums on medical care. This could potentially lower out-of-pocket costs or increase coverage if insurers are required to return excess profits to consumers.

Potential points of contention

  • Insurance industry resistance: Dental insurers may argue that MLR requirements increase administrative burden, reduce flexibility in plan design, and could lead to market consolidation or plan withdrawals from Connecticut
  • Definition complexity: Questions remain about which dental services and costs count toward the ratio, potentially creating accounting disputes and regulatory interpretation challenges
  • Market impact uncertainty: Critics worry the requirement could reduce competition or innovation in dental plan offerings, while supporters argue it will improve consumer value

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

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