CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 1369Introduced by Senator LimnFebruary 16, 2024 An act to add Section 1371.11 to the Health and Safety Code, and to add Section 10123.146 to the Insurance Code, relating to health care coverage. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 1369, as introduced, Limn. Dental providers: fee-based payments.Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the acts requirements a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law imposes specified coverage and disclosure requirements on health care service plans and health insurers, including specialized plans and insurers, that cover dental services.This bill would require a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy, as defined, issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly or through a contracted vendor to a dental provider to have a non-fee-based default method of payment, as specified. The bill would require a dental provider to submit a signed authorization to the health care service plan, health insurer, or contracted vendor, opting in to a fee-based payment method, and would authorize the dental provider to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health care service plan, health insurer, or contracted vendor.Because a violation of the bills requirements by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 1371.11 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:1371.11. (a) The following definitions apply for purposes of this section:(1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.(2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor.(3) Health care service plan or planmeans a health care service plan defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1374.194.(b) (1) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor, to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check.(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health care service plan or contract vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system.(1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method.(2) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using the fee-based payment method.(3) The health care service plan also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing any part of the profit, fee arrangement, or board composition with the plan.(d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health care service plan or its contracted vendor.(2) If a dental provider opts out of a fee-based method of payment pursuant to paragraph (1), that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment.(e) This section does not change, alter, or extend the scope of Section 1367.SEC. 2. Section 10123.146 is added to the Insurance Code, to read:10123.146. (a) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this section:(1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.(2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor.(3) Health insurerhas the same meaning as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 10120.41.(b) (1) A health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check.(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health insurer or contracted vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system.(1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health insurer or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment model.(2) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using the fee-based payment method.(3) A health insurer also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing a part of the profit, fee arrangement or board composition with the plan.(d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health insurer or its contracted vendor.(2) If a dental provider opts out of a method of payment, that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment.SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution. CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 1369Introduced by Senator LimnFebruary 16, 2024 An act to add Section 1371.11 to the Health and Safety Code, and to add Section 10123.146 to the Insurance Code, relating to health care coverage. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 1369, as introduced, Limn. Dental providers: fee-based payments.Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the acts requirements a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law imposes specified coverage and disclosure requirements on health care service plans and health insurers, including specialized plans and insurers, that cover dental services.This bill would require a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy, as defined, issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly or through a contracted vendor to a dental provider to have a non-fee-based default method of payment, as specified. The bill would require a dental provider to submit a signed authorization to the health care service plan, health insurer, or contracted vendor, opting in to a fee-based payment method, and would authorize the dental provider to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health care service plan, health insurer, or contracted vendor.Because a violation of the bills requirements by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 1369 Introduced by Senator LimnFebruary 16, 2024 Introduced by Senator Limn February 16, 2024 An act to add Section 1371.11 to the Health and Safety Code, and to add Section 10123.146 to the Insurance Code, relating to health care coverage. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1369, as introduced, Limn. Dental providers: fee-based payments. Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the acts requirements a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law imposes specified coverage and disclosure requirements on health care service plans and health insurers, including specialized plans and insurers, that cover dental services.This bill would require a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy, as defined, issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly or through a contracted vendor to a dental provider to have a non-fee-based default method of payment, as specified. The bill would require a dental provider to submit a signed authorization to the health care service plan, health insurer, or contracted vendor, opting in to a fee-based payment method, and would authorize the dental provider to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health care service plan, health insurer, or contracted vendor.Because a violation of the bills requirements by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the acts requirements a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law imposes specified coverage and disclosure requirements on health care service plans and health insurers, including specialized plans and insurers, that cover dental services. This bill would require a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy, as defined, issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly or through a contracted vendor to a dental provider to have a non-fee-based default method of payment, as specified. The bill would require a dental provider to submit a signed authorization to the health care service plan, health insurer, or contracted vendor, opting in to a fee-based payment method, and would authorize the dental provider to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health care service plan, health insurer, or contracted vendor. Because a violation of the bills requirements by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. ## Digest Key ## Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 1371.11 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:1371.11. (a) The following definitions apply for purposes of this section:(1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.(2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor.(3) Health care service plan or planmeans a health care service plan defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1374.194.(b) (1) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor, to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check.(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health care service plan or contract vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system.(1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method.(2) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using the fee-based payment method.(3) The health care service plan also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing any part of the profit, fee arrangement, or board composition with the plan.(d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health care service plan or its contracted vendor.(2) If a dental provider opts out of a fee-based method of payment pursuant to paragraph (1), that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment.(e) This section does not change, alter, or extend the scope of Section 1367.SEC. 2. Section 10123.146 is added to the Insurance Code, to read:10123.146. (a) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this section:(1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.(2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor.(3) Health insurerhas the same meaning as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 10120.41.(b) (1) A health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check.(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health insurer or contracted vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system.(1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health insurer or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment model.(2) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using the fee-based payment method.(3) A health insurer also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing a part of the profit, fee arrangement or board composition with the plan.(d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health insurer or its contracted vendor.(2) If a dental provider opts out of a method of payment, that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment.SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. Section 1371.11 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:1371.11. (a) The following definitions apply for purposes of this section:(1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.(2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor.(3) Health care service plan or planmeans a health care service plan defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1374.194.(b) (1) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor, to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check.(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health care service plan or contract vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system.(1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method.(2) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using the fee-based payment method.(3) The health care service plan also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing any part of the profit, fee arrangement, or board composition with the plan.(d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health care service plan or its contracted vendor.(2) If a dental provider opts out of a fee-based method of payment pursuant to paragraph (1), that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment.(e) This section does not change, alter, or extend the scope of Section 1367. SECTION 1. Section 1371.11 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read: ### SECTION 1. 1371.11. (a) The following definitions apply for purposes of this section:(1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.(2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor.(3) Health care service plan or planmeans a health care service plan defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1374.194.(b) (1) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor, to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check.(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health care service plan or contract vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system.(1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method.(2) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using the fee-based payment method.(3) The health care service plan also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing any part of the profit, fee arrangement, or board composition with the plan.(d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health care service plan or its contracted vendor.(2) If a dental provider opts out of a fee-based method of payment pursuant to paragraph (1), that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment.(e) This section does not change, alter, or extend the scope of Section 1367. 1371.11. (a) The following definitions apply for purposes of this section:(1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.(2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor.(3) Health care service plan or planmeans a health care service plan defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1374.194.(b) (1) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor, to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check.(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health care service plan or contract vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system.(1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method.(2) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using the fee-based payment method.(3) The health care service plan also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing any part of the profit, fee arrangement, or board composition with the plan.(d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health care service plan or its contracted vendor.(2) If a dental provider opts out of a fee-based method of payment pursuant to paragraph (1), that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment.(e) This section does not change, alter, or extend the scope of Section 1367. 1371.11. (a) The following definitions apply for purposes of this section:(1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.(2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor.(3) Health care service plan or planmeans a health care service plan defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1374.194.(b) (1) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor, to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check.(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health care service plan or contract vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system.(1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method.(2) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using the fee-based payment method.(3) The health care service plan also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing any part of the profit, fee arrangement, or board composition with the plan.(d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health care service plan or its contracted vendor.(2) If a dental provider opts out of a fee-based method of payment pursuant to paragraph (1), that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment.(e) This section does not change, alter, or extend the scope of Section 1367. 1371.11. (a) The following definitions apply for purposes of this section: (1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code. (2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor. (3) Health care service plan or planmeans a health care service plan defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1374.194. (b) (1) A health care service plan contract issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor, to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check. (2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment. (c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health care service plan or contract vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system. (1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method. (2) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using the fee-based payment method. (3) The health care service plan also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing any part of the profit, fee arrangement, or board composition with the plan. (d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health care service plan or its contracted vendor. (2) If a dental provider opts out of a fee-based method of payment pursuant to paragraph (1), that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment. (e) This section does not change, alter, or extend the scope of Section 1367. SEC. 2. Section 10123.146 is added to the Insurance Code, to read:10123.146. (a) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this section:(1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.(2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor.(3) Health insurerhas the same meaning as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 10120.41.(b) (1) A health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check.(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health insurer or contracted vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system.(1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health insurer or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment model.(2) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using the fee-based payment method.(3) A health insurer also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing a part of the profit, fee arrangement or board composition with the plan.(d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health insurer or its contracted vendor.(2) If a dental provider opts out of a method of payment, that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment. SEC. 2. Section 10123.146 is added to the Insurance Code, to read: ### SEC. 2. 10123.146. (a) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this section:(1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.(2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor.(3) Health insurerhas the same meaning as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 10120.41.(b) (1) A health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check.(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health insurer or contracted vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system.(1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health insurer or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment model.(2) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using the fee-based payment method.(3) A health insurer also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing a part of the profit, fee arrangement or board composition with the plan.(d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health insurer or its contracted vendor.(2) If a dental provider opts out of a method of payment, that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment. 10123.146. (a) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this section:(1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.(2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor.(3) Health insurerhas the same meaning as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 10120.41.(b) (1) A health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check.(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health insurer or contracted vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system.(1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health insurer or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment model.(2) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using the fee-based payment method.(3) A health insurer also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing a part of the profit, fee arrangement or board composition with the plan.(d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health insurer or its contracted vendor.(2) If a dental provider opts out of a method of payment, that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment. 10123.146. (a) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this section:(1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.(2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor.(3) Health insurerhas the same meaning as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 10120.41.(b) (1) A health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check.(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health insurer or contracted vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system.(1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health insurer or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment model.(2) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using the fee-based payment method.(3) A health insurer also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing a part of the profit, fee arrangement or board composition with the plan.(d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health insurer or its contracted vendor.(2) If a dental provider opts out of a method of payment, that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment. 10123.146. (a) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this section: (1) Dental provider means an individual or group of individuals licensed under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1600) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code. (2) Fee-based payment refers to any payment type that requires the dental provider to incur a fee to access payment from a plan or its contracted vendor. (3) Health insurerhas the same meaning as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 10120.41. (b) (1) A health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on and after January 1, 2025, that provides payment directly, or through a contracted vendor to a dental provider, shall have a non-fee-based default method of payment, including, but not limited to, electronic funds transfer or mailed check. (2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment. (c) A dental provider is not required to use a fee-based payment method unless the dental provider submits to the health insurer or contracted vendor a signed authorization opting in to the fee-based payment system. (1) If a dental provider opts in to the fee-based payment method, the health insurer or its contracted vendor shall provide information on the payment method, including a notice of the fees associated, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment model. (2) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using the fee-based payment method. (3) A health insurer also shall notify the dental provider if its contracted vendor is sharing a part of the profit, fee arrangement or board composition with the plan. (d) (1) A dental provider may opt out of a fee-based payment method and opt in to a non-fee-based payment method at any time by providing written notice to the health insurer or its contracted vendor. (2) If a dental provider opts out of a method of payment, that decision remains in effect until the provider opts back in to the prior method of payment. SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution. SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution. SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution. ### SEC. 3.