The Nevada Dental Association (NDA) announced this week that Nevada Senate Bill 269, which limits retroactive claim denials and protects patients and dental practices from surprise billing, is expected to be heard Monday, May 3, by the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee after passing unanimously in the state Senate.
Sponsored by Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, R-Reno, SB269 was approved April 20 by the state Senate on a 21-0 vote, advancing the bill to the Assembly for its consideration.
The bill supported by the NDA limits the ability of insurance companies to deny claims for preauthorized dental care. Nevada law currently does not impose any timeframe limiting the ability of insurance companies to issue a retroactive refund request. These so-called retroactive claim denials often seek payment from a patient months or even years after the service was provided.
“This type of billing is unfair to patients who are blindsided to learn after the fact that their dental work claim was denied by their insurance, and now there’s a balance due,” said NDA President Dr. Mark Funke, DDS, a longtime dentist based in Carson City. “SB269 seeks to close this surprise-billing loophole by putting policies in place to help protect patients and safeguard insurance deductibles and avoid loss of benefits.”
Several states already have laws limiting an insurer’s ability to deny claims retroactively, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
About the Nevada Dental Association
The Nevada Dental Association is the voice and advocate for oral health care in Nevada. It promotes the highest standards of care for the public and inspires members to pursue professional excellence and personal fulfillment through education, leadership and communication. It preserves the integrity of the dental profession, strengthens the doctor-patient relationship and promotes the Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct of the American Dental Association. Visit www.NVDA.org.