Bytes

As 2015 draws to a close, NADP Members can feel a sense of accomplishment for their many contributions advancing our industry and association. This issue of the Monthlybyte eNewsletter focuses on these accomplishments and provides detailed accounts of the work of our volunteers. This eNewsletter also underscores the value of NADP membership and our volunteer leaders who provide the knowledge and direction that is the foundation for our success. I encourage you to read all the articles in this issue as they demonstrate how NADP advance our industry. Following are some departmental highlights from a very productive 2015.

States: While the vast majority of state legislative sessions adjourned over the summer, regulatory agencies and Departments of Insurance have continued their work into the fall and winter.

NADP provided comments this month urging the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) to clarify an exemption for dental benefits in a proposed rule on uniform credentialing.

In partnership with kidney and transplant advocates, NADP sent a joint letter to the Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar urging HHS to “provide the option of purchasing dental coverage independent of medical coverage on the federal health insurance Marketplace.”

NADP is working with Congress to ensure that future COVID-19 legislation helps consumers maintain the dental coverage they need. On April 21, NADP sent a letter to House and Senate leadership calling for Congress to ensure that any forthcoming COVID-19 legislation includes federal subsidies so that individuals who lose their job as a result of the pandemic can keep their employer-sponsored dental coverage. In addition to these COBRA subsidies, NADP also asked Congress to direct the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement a limited Special Enrollment Period (SEP) in the Federally Facilitated Exchanges. The SEP would allow those who do not currently have insurance to enroll in medical and dental plans.

Serving as the voice of the dental benefits industry, 40 NADP members engaged in in-depth telephone conversations and virtual meetings with 60 Congressional offices during NADP’s virtual Advocacy in Action event, June 24-26. Most participants agreed the conference-call format was advantageous as it provided more time to cover industry issues.

On Aug. 7, NADP filed a comment with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the proposed rule regarding “Certain Medical Care Agreements” (RIN 1545-BP31) that would expand the definition of “medical care” under section 213(d) of the IRS Code, to include health sharing ministries and direct primary care arrangements. This would allow both arrangements to be reimbursable under employee Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). In the proposed rule, the IRS requested comments on potentially further expanding the definitions in section 213(d) to include “an agreement between a dentist and a patient to provide dental care.”

By Board Chair Jeremy Hedrick, Careington International

Now is an exciting time to be an NADP member. Our industry and nation are facing new developments that will forever change the business landscape. I am both honored and privileged to serve as your NADP Board Chair at this time and look forward to working together as we advance our industry.

The Senate Finance and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committees held confirmation hearings for California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, President Biden’s nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services on Feb. 23 and 24. During the Finance Committee Hearing, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) raised the issue of the importance of oral health. Political analysts believe that Becerra’s nomination will be confirmed by the Senate.

From the annual meeting with the American Dental Association (ADA) to the roll out of the CONVERGE 2021 agenda, progress on the strategic plan, and everything in between, NADP continued to serve our members and add value to your membership during the month of May.