The American Dental Association is voicing its support for the Dental and Optometric Care Access Act.
The legislation would stop dental insurers from setting the fees in-network dentists are able to charge for dental care services not covered by the insurer, according to a June 27 news release from the ADA.
The act would also limit contract extensions between insurers and dentists to a two-year maximum and preserve dentists' freedom to choose their dental laboratories.
ADA President George Shepley, DDS, said that when insurers are able to set fees for noncovered services, it interferes with the doctor-patient relationship and creates higher premiums.