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
2021 State Legislative Wrap Up
While 2021 was an atypical year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NADP continued to analyze and advocate on critical topics relevant to the dental benefits industry in the states, such as legislation related to network leasing non-covered services and taxation of insurance. Idaho, Louisiana, and South Dakota enacted laws regarding network leasing. Nebraska enacted network leasing provisions requiring insurers to permit providers to opt out of participation in leasing, and similar legislation was proposed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Also, in 2020, New Hampshire became the 40th state to enact a non-covered dental services law, while Vermont and Ohio considered but did not enact similar bills. The use of telehealth was an essential means of accessing care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and several legislatures looked to understand and define teledentistry.
Every year the NADP compiles a review of relevant state policy activity for the year for members.
NADP Tracks State-Level COVID Responses
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected NADP’s state-level advocacy in 2020-21. As state efforts to administer the COVID vaccine and vaccinate front-line medical staff have begun, NADP has continued to keep members informed of newly publicized state plans and the push to include dentists among the first to receive the vaccine.
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.