PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Expand Access to Oral Health Care
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  24 MRSA §2317-B, sub-§12-E  is enacted to read:
 
12-E.  Title 24-A, sections 2765 and 2847-Q.   Coverage for services provided by independent practice dental hygienists, Title 24-A, sections 2765 and 2847-Q;
Sec. 2.  24-A MRSA §2765  is enacted to read:
§ 2765. Coverage for services provided by independent practice dental hygienist
 
1.  Services provided by independent practice dental hygienist.   An insurer that issues individual dental insurance or health insurance that includes coverage for dental services shall provide coverage for dental services performed by an independent practice dental hygienist licensed under Title 32, chapter 16, subchapter 3-B when those services are covered services under the contract and when they are within the lawful scope of practice of the independent practice dental hygienist.
 
2.  Limits; coinsurance; deductibles.   A contract that provides coverage for the services required by this section may contain provisions for maximum benefits and coinsurance and reasonable limitations, deductibles and exclusions to the extent that these provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements of this section.
 
3.  Coordination of benefits with dental insurance.   If an enrollee eligible for coverage under this section is eligible for coverage under a dental insurance policy or contract and a health insurance policy or contract, the insurer providing dental insurance is the primary payer responsible for charges under subsection 1 and the insurer providing individual health insurance is the secondary payer.
 
4.  Application.   The requirements of this section apply to all policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State. For purposes of this section, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.
Sec. 3.  24-A MRSA §2847-Q  is enacted to read:
§ 2847-Q. Coverage for services provided by independent practice dental hygienist
 
1.  Services provided by independent practice dental hygienist.   An insurer that issues group dental insurance or health insurance that includes coverage for dental services shall provide coverage for dental services performed by an independent practice dental hygienist licensed under Title 32, chapter 16, subchapter 3-B when those services are covered services under the contract and when they are within the lawful scope of practice of the independent practice dental hygienist.
 
2.  Limits; coinsurance; deductibles.   A contract that provides coverage for the services required by this section may contain provisions for maximum benefits and coinsurance and reasonable limitations, deductibles and exclusions to the extent that these provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements of this section.
 
3.  Coordination of benefits with dental insurance.   If an enrollee eligible for coverage under this section is eligible for coverage under a dental insurance policy or contract and a health insurance policy or contract, the insurer providing dental insurance is the primary payer responsible for charges under subsection 1 and the insurer providing group health insurance is the secondary payer.
 
4.  Application.   The requirements of this section apply to all policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State. For purposes of this section, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.
Sec. 4.  24-A MRSA §4257  is enacted to read:
§ 4257. Coverage for services provided by independent practice dental hygienist
 
1.  Services provided by independent practice dental hygienist.   All individual and group health maintenance organization contracts that include coverage for dental services shall provide coverage for dental services performed by an independent practice dental hygienist licensed under Title 32, chapter 16, subchapter 3-B when those services are covered services under the contract and when they are within the lawful scope of practice of the independent practice dental hygienist.
 
2.  Limits; coinsurance; deductibles.   A contract that provides coverage for the services required by this section may contain provisions for maximum benefits and coinsurance and reasonable limitations, deductibles and exclusions to the extent that these provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements of this section.
 
3.  Coordination of benefits with dental insurance.   If an enrollee eligible for coverage under this section is eligible for coverage under a dental insurance policy or contract and a health maintenance organization policy or contract, the insurer providing dental insurance is the primary payer responsible for charges under subsection 1 and the health maintenance organization providing health coverage is the secondary payer.
 
4.  Application.    The requirements of this section apply to all policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State. For purposes of this section, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.
Sec. 5. Bureau of Insurance Report. The Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance shall review and evaluate the financial impact, social impact and medical efficacy of the mandated health insurance benefit required in this Act after its enactment in the same manner as required for proposed mandated health benefits legislation in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 24-A, section 2752. The bureau shall also compare the projected cost impact of this mandated benefit prior to enactment and the actual cost impact of the mandated benefit based on premium information after enactment. As part of its assessment of the medical efficacy of the mandate, the bureau shall consult with health insurance and dental insurance carriers and independent practice dental hygienists to determine whether the mandate has increased access to dental services in areas of the State designated as having a shortage of dentists and whether granting authority to carriers to include independent practice dental hygienists in a dental provider network has an impact on the cost and access to dental services. The bureau shall contract within the bureau's existing budgeted resources for any necessary consulting and actuarial expertise to complete the report required by this section. The bureau shall submit a report, including any recommendations for legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance and financial services matters no later than February 1, 2013. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance and financial services matters may report out a bill based on the report to the First Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.
Sec. 6. Applicability. This Act applies to all policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2010. For purposes of this Act, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.
 
Effective September 12, 2009