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GeorgiaHB 5672025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Professions and businesses; authorize and regulate teledentistry by licensed dentists

Sponsored By: Debbie Buckner (Democrat), Katie Dempsey (Republican), Matt Hatchett (Republican), Lee Hawkins (Republican), Darlene Taylor (Republican)

Signed by Governor

HealthHealth and Human ServicesGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Dental patients gain remote coverage protections

Remote-care coverage protections apply to dental plans issued, changed, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Insurers, their contracted vendors, and care management organizations cannot exclude appropriate dental services solely because they are delivered remotely. They also cannot require patients to use remote care instead of an in-person exam. The Georgia Insurance Commissioner must adopt coverage rules; the law does not guarantee coverage for every service or set benefit amounts. The law also bars insurer contracts from requiring dentists to accept insurer-set payments for services a patient's plan does not cover. Insurers and third-party administrators cannot share provider networks with plans that set fees for services outside covered benefits. Benefit statements cannot suggest that dentists should give discounts on noncovered services. These fee rules protect dentists' pricing choices, rather than guaranteeing patients a discount.

Remote dental care with in-person limits

Beginning January 1, 2026, Georgia-licensed dentists in good standing can provide remote dental care to patients physically in Georgia. Before starting, dentists must notify the state dental board and document a Georgia office and a referral dentist's operating Georgia office. Remote care uses live video and audio, with stored records and images as support; it is not an in-person exam. Allowed services include emergency evaluations, second opinions, ongoing assessment, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, provider consultations, and approval of digital scans. Prescriptions are limited to drugs that are not controlled substances. Remote care excludes orthodontics, delivery of dental appliances, and hygienist supervision. Care must meet in-person standards, and an in-person exam is required immediately before irreversible or higher-risk treatment. Dentists must strongly encourage ongoing patients to have an in-person visit at least annually. Initial remote visits require a medical and dental history review, identity and location checks, and parental or guardian consent for minors. Dentists must document written authorization naming the dentist and treating hygienist for each interaction. Informed consent is required before the first service and at least annually, explaining alternatives, limits, and differences from in-person exams. After each interaction, patients must receive the referral dentist's name, license number, address, and phone number. Referral dentists must accept referrals and provide necessary care, including emergencies, as agreed with the authorizing dentist. Each dentist can authorize up to four hygienists at once, except for state or county public health personnel. Hygienists need two years of clinical experience, a license in good standing, current CPR certification, and required continuing education. They also need professional liability insurance unless covered by government immunity. The authorizing dentist keeps remote-care records; referral dentists keep records of their in-person care and send copies to the authorizing dentist. The authorizing dentist or dental board can require record sharing. Providers must follow federal health privacy and security standards in effect January 1, 2025, and Georgia health information laws. Providers cannot waive liability in advance or block patients from filing government complaints. The dental board can adopt rules to carry out these requirements. The law does not require dentists to offer remote care, require facilities to buy equipment, or expand hygienists' practice rights.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Debbie Buckner

    Democrat • House

  • Katie Dempsey

    Republican • House

  • Matt Hatchett

    Republican • House

  • Lee Hawkins

    Republican • House

  • Darlene Taylor

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Shawn Still

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 391 • No: 5

House vote • 4/4/2025

Agree to Senate Substitute

Yes: 165 • No: 2 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 52 • No: 1 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 174 • No: 2 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    1/1/2026

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/9/2025House

  3. Act 79

    5/9/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    4/4/2025House

  6. Senate Third Read

    4/2/2025Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    4/2/2025Senate

  8. Senate Read Second Time

    3/25/2025Senate

  9. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/21/2025Senate

  10. Senate Read and Referred

    3/10/2025Senate

  11. House Third Readers

    3/6/2025House

  12. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/6/2025House

  13. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/28/2025House

  14. House Second Readers

    2/26/2025House

  15. House First Readers

    2/24/2025House

  16. House Hopper

    2/21/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 567/AP* (v8)

    PDF

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