Illinois State Dental Society announces “More for Your Smile” legislative package

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – The Illinois State Dental Society has teamed up with House and Senate legislators to support legislation that will help protect patients by increasing transparency and accountability for dental insurers while ensuring more patient dollars go to patient care.

“Illinois dentists care about their patients and understand the critical role the mouth-body connection plays in their overall physical health. Today, more than half of Americans delay getting medical care — or avoid it altogether — because of burdensome costs, and the most frequently skipped is dental care. This legislation is a significant and necessary step to ensure more access to care, more transparency and more value for dental care in Illinois,” said Eric Larson, Executive Director Illinois State Dental Society.

Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) and Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), are sponsoring the More for Your Smile legislative package, that would require dental insurance companies to spend 80 percent of premiums on dental benefits and quality improvement instead of administrative expenses.

Other dental reform bills being introduced include regulations related to virtual credit cards, and network leasing.

According to the Illinois State Dental Society the More for Your Smile legislative package would accomplish the following:

• Ensures Patient Dollars Directed to Patient Care: Protects patient dollars by requiring dental insurance carriers to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on patient care rather than administrative costs, salaries, and profits. Carriers that do not meet this minimum standard would have to refund the difference to covered individuals and groups. Carriers would be required to disclose administrative costs and other financial information annually to the Department of Insurance. This policy has demonstrated broad public support. In 2022, 72 percent of Massachusetts voters approved a similar language at the ballot box. HB 2070/SB 1287.

• Requires Safeguards for Network Leasing:  Establishes safeguards for patients and dentists by requiring dental plans to be more transparent when leasing their dental networks and gives dentists certain negotiating capabilities while ensuring no provider is canceled for declining to participate in the new leased network. HB 2072/ SB 1288.

• Bans Fees from “Virtual Credit Cards”: Protects dentists from incurring increased costs associated with Virtual Credit Card transaction fees. Currently, these transaction fees make reimbursement amounts lower than the negotiated rate and can be implemented without a dentist's consent.  HB 2071/SB 1289.

“Health and dental insurance is intended to help patients manage risk and afford necessary care — not help insurers generate excessive profits and maintain high administrative costs. This legislation will result in better dental benefits and care for patients – and it will empower working families across Illinois to seek the dental care they need,” said Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz.

“Dental insurance plans receive little accountability on how they spend their patient premiums, in some cases, as much as 40 percent of premiums go towards excessive administrative costs. This must change. Our package will protect the consumer by reducing out-of-pocket costs for dental patients, making access to dental care and procedures more affordable and encouraging people who may avoid the dentist due to cost, receive the dental care they need,” said Senator Fine (D-Glenview).

“Our profession is dedicated to helping others achieve their best health, and among our top values is our willingness to stand together and raise our collective voices when it matters most for our patients. This legislation marks a bold step toward creating a dental benefits system in Illinois that is truly beneficial for all,” said Dr. Cheryl Watson-Lowry.

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