NevadaSB26883rd Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

AN ACT relating to insurance; requiring certain health insurance to include coverage for certain dental services when provided by certain dental hygienists without the supervision of a dentist to the same extent as if provided by a dental hygienist under the supervision of a dentist; revising provisions governing the services that a dental hygienist with a special endorsement to practice public health dental hygiene may provide; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

BDR 57-329

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Equal plan coverage for hygienist services

Beginning October 1, 2025, Nevada plans must treat certain hygienist care the same as dentist‑supervised care. Individual, group, health benefit, dental, HMO, and managed‑care plans delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after that date must cover these services at the same level. This applies only when a qualified dental hygienist provides the service without a dentist. The hygienist must have the Board’s special endorsement and be employed by a nonprofit, acting within that job. Any conflicting plan language is void, and voluntary purchasing groups are included.

Medicaid covers unsupervised hygienist care equally

Nevada Medicaid pays for covered dental services done by a qualified dental hygienist without a dentist at the same level as if supervised by a dentist, if federal matching funds are available. The health department must seek any needed federal waiver or State Plan change to secure that funding. HMOs that serve Medicaid enrollees must follow these coverage rules.

More care from endorsed dental hygienists

A dental hygienist with the Board’s special public‑health endorsement can work without a dentist at Board‑approved sites using an approved protocol. They can do exams, X‑rays, cleanings, sealants, fluoride, remove sutures, place temporary fillings, and apply certain medicines in the mouth. In approved programs, they may direct dental assistants under direct supervision to place sealants, apply fluoride, polish, take X‑rays, and teach oral care. The Board can suspend or revoke this authorization for listed reasons.

Stronger enforcement for HMO dental coverage

Starting October 1, 2025, the Insurance Commissioner can suspend or revoke an HMO’s certificate if its coverage papers or charge schedules break the new hygienist‑coverage rules. This strengthens enforcement to protect enrollees.

Local governments can spend more to comply

Local governments can spend extra to carry out this law, and those extra costs are not limited by NRS 354.599. This can raise local expenses or change local budgets.

Nevada can apply rules to some out-of-state policies

The Nevada Insurance Commissioner can require policies issued by Nevada insurers to people in other states to meet Nevada standards, including the hygienist coverage rule, when the other state’s regulator says the policy is not subject to their approval. This gives some out‑of‑state buyers the same protections Nevada requires.

Self-insured public plans must follow insurer rules

If a state Board runs a self‑insured health plan, it must follow the same insurance rules as licensed insurers for the matters in this law. This aligns protections for people in that plan and can add administrative steps.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 63 • No: 0

House vote • 5/22/2025

Final Passage - Assembly (1st Reprint)

Yes: 42 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Final Passage - Senate (1st Reprint)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor. Chapter 188.

    5/31/2025legislature
  2. Enrolled and delivered to Governor.

    5/27/2025legislature
  3. To enrollment.

    5/23/2025Senate
  4. In Senate.

    5/22/2025Senate
  5. Read third time. Passed. Title approved. (Yeas: 42, Nays: None.) To Senate.

    5/22/2025House
  6. Taken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.

    5/21/2025House
  7. Read second time.

    5/20/2025House
  8. From committee: Do pass.

    5/19/2025House
  9. Read first time. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. To committee.

    4/28/2025House
  10. In Assembly.

    4/28/2025House
  11. To Assembly.

    4/28/2025Senate
  12. From printer. To engrossment. Engrossed. First reprint.

    4/25/2025Senate
  13. Read third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved, as amended. (Yeas: 21, Nays: None.) To printer.

    4/22/2025Senate
  14. Reprinting dispensed with.

    4/21/2025Senate
  15. Read second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 189.)

    4/21/2025Senate
  16. Placed on Second Reading File.

    4/21/2025Senate
  17. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended.

    4/21/2025Senate
  18. From printer. To committee.

    3/5/2025Senate
  19. Read first time. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor. To printer.

    3/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

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