SF0158

Establishes requirements for third-party access to dental network contracts, virtual credit card payments, and related contractual provisions for dental care service plans.

• Defines key terms including contracting entity, dental care provider, dental carrier, network contract, third party, and virtual credit card payment. (W.S. 26-22-506(a))
• Permits contracting entities to grant third-party access to network contracts only if the dental carrier is the contracting entity, the dental care provider consents, the network contract expressly allows third-party access, and the third party complies with all contract terms. (W.S. 26-22-506(b)(i)-(iv))
• Requires contracting entities to identify all third parties in writing to dental care providers and maintain an updated website list of participating third parties at least every 90 days. (W.S. 26-22-506(b)(v)-(vi))
• Mandates that contracting entities notify dental care providers at least 30 days before a new third party accesses the network contract and requires third parties to identify the source of discounts on remittance advice. (W.S. 26-22-506(b)(vii)-(viii))
• Provides that a third party's right to discounted rates terminates when the network contract terminates and requires contracting entities to provide a copy of the network contract to dental care providers within 30 days of request. (W.S. 26-22-506(b)(ix)-(x))
• Prohibits contracting entities from canceling or refusing to contract with dental care providers solely because they refuse third-party access to their services and discounted rates. (W.S. 26-22-506(c))
• Exempts third-party access granted to entities operating under the same brand licensing as the contracting entity and requires contracting entities to list such entities on their website. (W.S. 26-22-506(d))
• Prohibits dental care service plans from requiring payments to be made solely through virtual credit card payments and requires plans to notify dental care providers of fees associated with each payment method. (W.S. 26-22-506(f)-(g))