MarylandHB 10912026 Regular SessionHouse

Health Insurance and Dental Plan Organizations - Dentists - Assignment of Benefits and Reimbursement of Nonpreferred Providers

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Clear notices with dental plan payments

Beginning January 1, 2027, if you do not assign benefits and your insurer or dental plan pays you for care from a nonpreferred dentist, they must include a clear notice. It must list the claim, what they paid, what you still owe, and tell you to use the money to pay the dentist if you have not already paid in full.

Dentists treated as providers for payments

Beginning January 1, 2027, the law counts dentists as health care providers for assignment and payment rules. It also defines which dentists are “similarly licensed,” including group dental practices. This makes payment and assignment rules clearer for dental claims.

Upfront cost disclosure from out-of-network dentists

Beginning January 1, 2027, a nonpreferred dentist who wants direct payment must tell you key facts before care. The dentist must say they are nonpreferred, warn about possible charges for noncovered services and balance billing, and give a cost estimate and payment terms. They must also say if interest applies and the rate. The dentist must submit the state’s disclosure and assignment form.

Direct payment to out-of-network dentists

Beginning January 1, 2027, you can assign dental benefits so insurers and dental plans pay a nonpreferred dentist directly. Insurers and dental plans cannot block a valid assignment to a dentist. There are narrow exceptions. An insurer can refuse direct pay if it already paid you (including by administrative error), you withdrew the assignment before payment, or you already paid the dentist in full. A dental plan can refuse direct pay if it already paid you, you withdrew the assignment before payment, or you already paid the dentist in full.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Kenneth Kerr
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Tiffany T. Alston
Democratic • House
Heather Bagnall
Democratic • House
Bonnie Cullison
Democratic • House
Pam Lanman Guzzone
Democratic • House
Terri L. Hill
Democratic • House
Thomas S. Hutchinson
Republican • House
Aaron M. Kaufman
Democratic • House
Nicholaus R. Kipke
Republican • House
Lesley J. Lopez
Democratic • House
Matthew Morgan
Republican • House
Ashanti Martinez
Democratic • House
Teresa E. Reilly
Republican • House
Samuel I. Rosenberg
Democratic • House
Kim Ross
Democratic • House
Steve Johnson
Democratic • House
Kathy Szeliga
Republican • House
Deni Taveras
Democratic • House
Jennifer White Holland
Democratic • House
Teresa Woorman
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 176 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 46 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/18/2026