State Affairs

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 44^th 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.