Government Relations
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly returned to Harrisburg in mid- September as PDA geared up for election season and the end of the legislative session .
Many of our legislative initiatives remained undone when the General Assembly adjourned for the summer . Our first priority is to pass SB 1222 before the session ends in November . This bill would prohibit all insurance companies from capping fees on services they do not cover under their plans . We know this is an issue that resonates with many members who participate with insurance plans .
PDA continues to monitor and respond to a number of other legislative issues , advocating for the profession and your patients on issues such as assigning benefits to non-participating providers , limiting insurers ’ ability to retroactively deny claims , the use of dental amalgam , health care practitioner loan forgiveness and policymakers ’ call to assess the ability for the underserved and special needs patients to access dental care .
We cannot accomplish these legislative goals without your help . Please take a few minutes to respond to the CapWiz action alerts PDA sends periodically to those members with email addresses , or sign up today to serve as a grassroots contact dentist for your representative and senator . Stay tuned for information about the 2011 Day on the Hill , which is slated for June 14 . You ’ ll find a registration form in the November / December issue of the Journal . All members , spouses and dental students are encouraged to attend .
Below are insights on some of the issues that PDA will address before the end of the year . Legislation that does not pass will need to be reintroduced next year .
• SB 1222 , prohibiting insurers from capping non-covered services : PDA is working hard to correct an unfair insurance practice that allows insurers to cap those services not covered under their dental plans . This policy will significantly impact your business operation and patients . SB 1222 , introduced on PDA ’ s behalf by Sen . Kim Ward ( R-Westmoreland ), was a primary focus for attendees during Day on the Hill on June 8 . Those who attended were instrumental in having SB 1222 pass out of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee that same day . PDA is working to educate all senators about the need to pass this legislation . Please refer to the August edition of Transitions to find out how you can help pass this bill .
• HB 1049 , insurance coverage for general anesthesia when needed for dental treatment for children seven years of age and younger and special needs patients : HB 1049 would allow dentists to use their clinical judgment whether certain children under the age of seven need general anesthesia so they can provide quality dental care . The bill also would extend coverage to any special needs patient of any age . While it is difficult to pass insurance mandates , we are encouraged that this bill has the momentum to pass the House of Representatives . Having been approved by the House Insurance Committee in October 2009 , PDA began focusing its energy on convincing members of the House Appropriations Committee to consider the bill . HB 1049 has not moved from this committee .
• HB 2509 , Assignment of Benefits : This legislation would require insurers to assign benefits to those providers who are not participating providers in their patients ’ insurance plans . Rep . Thomas Murt ( R-Montgomery ) introduced HB 2509 on PDA ’ s behalf and it is now before the House Insurance Committee for consideration . Though it is unlikely this legislation will pass either chamber before the end of session , PDA is now educating lawmakers about this issue , with the intent of reintroducing the bill next session .
State Board of Dentistry
The State Board of Dentistry ( SBOD ) is working on a number of issues impacting the profession , including who has the ability to administer Botox and teeth whitening material . The SBOD is also finalizing its plans for how to implement the new legislation that passed expanding the scope of practice for expanded function dental assistants ( EFDAs ).
Allowing EFDAs to perform expanded duties allowed under Act 19
At its July meeting , the SBOD passed proposed rulemaking that would require all grandfathered EFDAs to complete three hours of continuing education on those duties now allowed by law , specifically coronal polishing . The three-hour requirement is part of the 10 hours currently required . Those EFDAs who will be
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September / October 2010 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal
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