HB192 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve HurstRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Ron Johnson

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Dental services, certain health insurance policies and health maintenance organizations plans, setting fees for services not covered by the plan, prohibited

Summary

HB192 would prevent health plans from forcing dentists to charge plan-set fees for dental services that are not covered by the plan.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill bars insurance policies and similar plans from requiring a dental care provider to bill a covered person at a fee set by the plan unless the service is covered. For non-covered services, dentists would not be required to charge the plan’s fee and could set their own rates. For services that are covered, the plan’s terms and payments would apply. The bill does not limit other plan restrictions like balance billing or waiting periods, and it becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Covered individuals (patients with dental coverage): protections against being charged plan-set fees for non-covered services; for covered services, plan fees/payment terms apply.
• Dental care providers (dentists): can set their own fees for non-covered dental services; must accept plan terms for services that are covered.

Key Provisions

• Section 1 defines terms such as Covered Person, Dental Care Provider, and Insurance Policy/Plan/Contract Providing for Third-Party Payment or Prepayment of Health or Medical Expenses.
• Section 2 prohibits a policy/plan from requiring a dental care provider to provide service to a covered person at a fee set by the policy unless the service is covered.
• Section 3 states the act does not limit the insurer's ability to restrict balance billing, waiting periods, frequency limitations, deductibles, or maximum annual benefits.
• Section 4 specifies the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health