G ove r n men t Re lat ions
Legislative Update
Assignment of Benefits Update
In June, PDA met with Rep. Tina Pickett and her chief of staff to
discuss moving HB 564 out of committee. Rep. Pickett’s staff
presented PDA with the idea that a law already exists that
requires insurers to directly pay all providers, even those who
do not participate with the insurers’ plans.
PDA considered a proposal to “strip” HB 564 to include language
from Act 68 of 1999, which requires insurers to promptly pay
clean claims submitted by providers. All parties agreed that the
best course of action was to strip HB 564 to include language
that amends Act 68 to clarify that payment should be sent
directly to non-participating providers, and that PDA should
lobby to have the House Insurance Committee vote on this
amended version before the budget passed at the end of June.
This was the only way to move the bill out of committee before
the summer recess. The House Insurance Committee voted
HB 564 out of committee on June 27, the Republicans voting
“yes” and the Democrats voting “no.” The legislature adjourned
a few days later after passing the state budget and they will not
return to session until September.
The next step is for the House Appropriations Committee to pass
HB 564 before it moves to the full House for a vote. PDA retains
the ability to amend the legislation as it continues to move
through the process.
State Board of Dentistry Update
The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry (SBOD) is a separate
and distinct entity within the Department of State’s Bureau of
Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA), authorized by the
state legislature to regulate the dental community. It is comprised
of eight dentists, one hygienist and expanded function dental
assistant and two public members, all appointed by the
Governor. The board also includes one representative each
from the Attorney General’s Office and Department of Health
and the BPOA Commissioner. The appointment process, and
the SBOD itself, operate independently of PDA and other dental
membership organizations.
SBOD duties and functions
➢ Licenses dentists and hygienists.
➢ Certifies expanded function dental assistance.
➢ Issues permits to allow dentists and hygienists to administer
various levels of anesthesia.
➢ Investigates complaints made against licensees or certificate
holders.
➢ Suspends and revokes licenses and certificates when
disciplinary action occurs.
➢ Levies fines and penalties on licensees when disciplinary
action occurs.
➢ Supervises dentists, hygienists and EFDAs to insure
compliance with licensure and certification requirements.
➢ Develops standard of professional conduct, including
continuing education requirements.
➢ Promulgates regulations and policy statements to govern
the dental profession.
PDA is one of many stakeholders actively monitoring and
responding to all SBOD issues, including the promulgation of new
regulations for dental offices and licensees. Staff and volunteer
leaders attend all SBOD meetings and represent the interests of
the dental community on licensing and regulatory issues.
PDA is your advocate on SBOD issues, but your participation is
vital to representing the profession. Meetings are open to the
public and held 10 times a year on Fridays in Harrisburg. You
have the power to influence the SBOD’s decisions on regulatory
issues by responding to PDA’s alerts that we send electronically
via email, post on PDA’s website and publish in the Journal
(time permitting). We play a role in the official regulatory
process that involves other governmental offices and regulatory
agencies. But our role is equally important and requires
participation by all licensees impacted by the SBOD’s actions.
State Board Deliberates on PHDHP Practice Site
Location Draft Regulations
PDA actively monitors and responds to all State Board of
Dentistry (SBOD) issues, including the promulgation of new
regulations for dental offices and licensees. We continue to
monitor and respond to the SBOD’s proposed regulations
expanding Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioners
(PHDHPs) practice site locations to include child care settings,
physicians’ offices and residences of homebound and
hospice care patients. Currently, the law enacted in 2007
allows PHDHPs to practice in 10 public settings.
JU LY/AU G U ST 2019 | P EN N SYLVAN IA DEN TAL JOURNAL
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