SB433 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Bussman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

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

Summary

SB433 would stop health plans from requiring dentists to charge plan-set fees for dental services that aren’t covered by the plan.

What This Bill Does

The bill would prohibit an insurance policy or plan from requiring a dental care provider to provide a service to a covered person at a fee set by the plan unless that service is covered. It defines key terms like covered services and covered person, and clarifies that plans can still apply other restrictions (like balance billing or deductibles) and that the act does not apply to certain corporations. The act would become law on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved.

Who It Affects

• Dental care providers (dentists) would not be required to accept or bill at a plan-set fee for services that are not covered by the plan; they would only be obligated to follow plan-set fees for services that are covered.
• Insured or covered individuals would be affected in that plan-set fees would apply only to covered services, while non-covered services would not be mandated by the plan and could require other payment arrangements.

Key Provisions

• Section 2: An insurance policy or plan shall not require a dental care provider to provide service to a covered person at a fee set by the policy or plan unless the service is covered by the policy or plan.
• Section 4-5: The act does not apply to corporations organized under Article 6 of Chapter 20 of Title 10A, and it specifies the effective date of the act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health