Legislature(2009 - 2010)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/25/2010 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SCR16 | |
| SB258 | |
| SB303 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 258 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SCR 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 303 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 258-DENTAL CARE INSURANCE
1:58:36 PM
CHAIR PASKVAN announced SB 258 to be up for consideration. He
moved to adopt CSSB 258() 26-LS1418\R. There were no objections
and it was so ordered.
1:59:58 PM
SHARON LONG, staff to Senator Huggins, sponsor of SB 258, said
the committee substitute (CS) is a result of a lot of work on
this bill since it was last heard. The dental professionals, the
insurance industry and small business worked together to clarify
the provisions of the bill and craft a compromise which
satisfies the original aims of the measure. She drew their
attention to a new letter from the National Federation of
Independent Business Alaska removing their opposition to the
bill.
2:01:07 PM
DR. JOHN WOHLER, DDS, representing himself and the Alaska Dental
Society, Fairbanks, said he thought that CSSB 278() would
benefit everybody involved. The bill adds an option for
contracts with a dentist to limit fees on non-covered dental
services under managed care. Dental insurances will benefit from
increased access to providers who otherwise nationally are
opting out of these contracts.
This will give dentists a lot more options within their practice
to incorporate good contract language and policies. Managed care
patients will be able to stay with their current dentist and it
will reduce barriers to access in Alaska by keeping providers
from opting out of the network.
DR. WOHLER said the CS is also going to increase the
predictability of costs for services from network providers and
the costs will be easier for the dental patient to follow.
With this language they expect to see more dentists opting in.
He said that patients who don't have managed care will also
benefit because it will reduce cost shifting. He explained that
a lot of times when dentists get dental work or health care at
cost (think of emergency rooms) the money doesn't go away, it is
just shifted on to other paying patients. The managed care
insurance companies themselves are going to benefit because they
will have a larger number of participating providers that they
can market to their audience and have a better product to
market. They will also have an ability to market savings and
increase provider participation under managed care plans for
those providers who do opt in to fee scheduling for non-covered
services.
Obviously, he said the dentist benefits from having the ability
to join the network without having the insurance company dictate
fees for services that aren't being paid a benefit. If they do
already participate in a contract they have a choice to opt in
or opt out of a contract that caps fees for non-covered
services.
2:05:05 PM
SENATOR BUNDE asked if the recently passed federal health care
bill includes dental care and if it does how would that impact
this legislation.
MR. WOHLER replied that he didn't think it affected dentists.
2:06:11 PM
DR. DAVID LOGAN, DDS, Alaska Dental Society, Juneau, agreed with
Dr. Wohler's comments. He said the CS represents a collaborative
effort between the Dental Society and the industry. They are
happy with the CS and said he would answer questions.
CHAIR PASKVAN found no questions.
2:07:21 PM
CHAIR PASKVAN closed public testimony.
2:08:16 PM
SENATOR THOMAS moved to report CSSB 258(L&C) from committee with
individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note(s).
There were no objections and it was so ordered.
2:08:54 PM
CHAIR PASKVAN called an at ease for signing from 2:08-2:11 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|