h_hie_2017a_2017-03-30t14:34:39z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/30/2017

Location: HCR 0107

04:49 PM -- SB 17-190



Representative Gray presented Senate Bill 17-190 to the committee. This reengrossed bill prohibits insurance carriers that offer benefit plans covering dental services from requiring a participating dentist to provide services at a fee set by, or subject to the approval of, the carrier unless certain conditions are met. Specifically, carriers can only set the fee if the services are covered under a person's policy, and the carrier provides payment for the service under the policy in an amount that is reasonable and not nominal or de minimis.



Under the bill, a dentist may charge a person covered by a dental plan for noncovered items or services in any amount determined by the dentist and agreed to by the patient that is equal to, or less than, the usual and customary price that the dentist charges for such items and services. If an insurance carrier violates the provisions of the bill, the Commissioner of Insurance must institute a corrective plan for the carrier to follow or may use any other available enforcement power to obtain carrier compliance.



04:56 PM -- Sara Orrange, Colorado Association of Health Plans (CAHP), testified in a neutral capacity.



04:58 PM -- Dr. Ken Peters, representing Colorado Dentists' Association, testified in support of the bill.



05:01 PM -- Dr. Steve Nelson, representing Colorado Dentists' Association, testified in support of the bill.



05:13 PM -- Jennifer Goodrum, representing Colorado Dentists' Association, answered committee questions and testified in support of the bill.



05:19 PM



Representative Gray wrapped up his presentation to the committee.