NADP’s State Government Relations program tracks trends in insurance regulation and oral health legislation in the states. Thousands of related bills have been introduced in state legislatures. In each session, NADP staff provide members with an overview of the issues and legislation enacted by the state. The sources for legislative updates include Statescape Tracking Service (“LOTS”) and updates from member plans operating in all states.
State Legislative Tracking
2025 State Legislative Wrap Up
In the very busy 2025 legislative session, NADP analyzed and engaged in advocacy on critical topics relevant to the dental benefits industry in the states, such as dental loss ratio, virtual credit cards, non-covered services, and network leasing.
Fifteen states considered legislation on the topic of dental loss ratio this session. Montana became the first state to enact the NCOIL dental loss ratio model law. Following strong advocacy in the state, Washington is sending dental loss ratio to study with further recommendations set to be released in June 2026. While NADP and plans in the state advocated staunchly against DLR percentages, North Dakota enacted a 75% dental loss ratio to be effective in 2027, with an exemption for plans with an average of 1,000 or fewer covered lives across three years. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where sessions have not yet adjourned, reporting bills are still on the table. Ten other states introduced DLR bills, but ultimately none of them were passed this session.
Sixteen states introduced legislation on the topic of electronic payments such as virtual credit cards. Maine, Washington, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Virginia, Utah, and North Dakota all enacted laws on the topic, with many other states also introducing legislation that did not pass this session. States with longer sessions (California, Massachusetts, Michigan) still have time to consider their bills on electronic payments.
Maine became the 44th state to enact a law regarding non-covered services, while Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma, Washington, and Wyoming all considered bills that did not pass.
Arkansas and Wyoming both passed bills addressing dental network leasing. Three others introduced bills that were amended or have not progressed so far this session.
Every year the NADP compiles a review of relevant state policy activity for the year for members.
Legislative Online Tracking System
NADP members have access to the Legislative Online Tracking System or LOTS, a comprehensive Web-based monitoring system that tracks critical and applicable legislation and regulation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government every day from anywhere in the world. (Must be logged in)
NADP Comment Letters
NADP continuously works to educate legislators and regulators regarding the importance of the dental benefits industry in improving overall oral health. Become an NADP member to access state-level comment letters.