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HB 5160 was introduced in Rhode Island at the end of January. The bill model would modify the state’s existing non-covered services (NCS) law by changing the definition of covered services to include only those services that are actually reimbursed, as opposed to those that are reimbursable.

On Thursday, March 25, Dr. Vivek Murthy was sworn in as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States. Dr. Murthy previously served as the 19th Surgeon General from 2014 to 2017.

North Dakota HB 1154 was signed into law on March 25. The law, which addresses network leasing, prior authorizations and overpayment recovery was significantly modified during negotiations by lead by NADP and its industry partners.

NADP secured several favorable changes to Texas HB 1934, a network leasing and overpayment recovery bill. In addition to ensuring that carriers would be able to provide notices to providers electronically, language pertaining to leasing opt-out and notification requirements during the contract renewal process was removed.

On Jan. 14, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2022; Updates to State Innovation Waiver (Section 1332 Waiver) Implementing Regulations” (CMS-9914-F).

On Jan. 8, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized the rule “Securing Updated and Necessary Statutory Evaluations Timely” (SUNSET), which sets a 10-year review deadline for regulations created by HHS and its agencies. The rule would also require any regulation older than 10 years be reviewed within 5 years of the enactment of the final rule, an extension from the original proposed deadline of 2 years.

In a tweet on Jan. 7 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma announced that the proposed Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule (MFAR) would be removed from the Federal Register and not finalized. NADP commented in opposition to the rule, focusing on the potential expansion of the definition of “permissible class” of healthcare for the purposes of Medicaid related taxes to include dental benefits plans.

The 2021 state legislative session is in full swing in the majority of states; numerous bills impacting dental have already been introduced. The following are a few examples of the more than 60 bills on NADP’s radar screen.

The New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) has announced its intention to promulgate rules establishing a minimum regulatory standards and sales practices relating to limited scope dental and vision plans.

Laying foundations for a successful 2021

Following Leadership Conference last month, NADP volunteer groups and staff are now laying strong foundations for a highly successful 2021. These behind-the-scenes efforts will produce the products and services that add value to our membership. As board chair, I am keenly aware of these endeavors and want to highlight some of our volunteer groups.