California 2023 2023-2024 Regular Session

California Senate Bill SB1369 Amended / Bill

Filed 04/29/2024

                    Amended IN  Senate  April 29, 2024 Amended IN  Senate  April 09, 2024 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 1369Introduced by Senator LimnFebruary 16, 2024An 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 amended, 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 health care service plan, health insurer, or contracted vendor to obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the plan or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider and would authorize the dental provider to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time by providing written or electronic 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) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health care service plan.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. payment.(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) (1) A health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the plan or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the plan or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time.(3) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using a fee-based payment method.(4) 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 or electronic 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. the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the plan or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.(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) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health insurer.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. payment.(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) (1) A health insurer or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the insurer or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the health insurer or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of a fee-based payment method at any time.(3) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using a fee-based payment method.(4) 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 or electronic 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. payment pursuant to paragraph (1), the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the health insurer or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.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.

 Amended IN  Senate  April 29, 2024 Amended IN  Senate  April 09, 2024 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20232024 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 1369Introduced by Senator LimnFebruary 16, 2024An 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 amended, 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 health care service plan, health insurer, or contracted vendor to obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the plan or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider and would authorize the dental provider to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time by providing written or electronic 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 

 Amended IN  Senate  April 29, 2024 Amended IN  Senate  April 09, 2024

Amended IN  Senate  April 29, 2024
Amended IN  Senate  April 09, 2024

 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 amended, 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 health care service plan, health insurer, or contracted vendor to obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the plan or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider and would authorize the dental provider to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time by providing written or electronic 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 health care service plan, health insurer, or contracted vendor to obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the plan or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider and would authorize the dental provider to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time by providing written or electronic 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) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health care service plan.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. payment.(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) (1) A health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the plan or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the plan or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time.(3) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using a fee-based payment method.(4) 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 or electronic 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. the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the plan or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.(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) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health insurer.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. payment.(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) (1) A health insurer or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the insurer or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the health insurer or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of a fee-based payment method at any time.(3) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using a fee-based payment method.(4) 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 or electronic 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. payment pursuant to paragraph (1), the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the health insurer or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.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) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health care service plan.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. payment.(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) (1) A health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the plan or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the plan or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time.(3) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using a fee-based payment method.(4) 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 or electronic 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. the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the plan or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.(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) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health care service plan.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. payment.(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) (1) A health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the plan or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the plan or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time.(3) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using a fee-based payment method.(4) 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 or electronic 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. the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the plan or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.(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) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health care service plan.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. payment.(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) (1) A health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the plan or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the plan or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time.(3) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using a fee-based payment method.(4) 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 or electronic 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. the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the plan or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.(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) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health care service plan.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. payment.(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) (1) A health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the plan or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the plan or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time.(3) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using a fee-based payment method.(4) 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 or electronic 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. the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the plan or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.(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) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health care service plan.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) 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. payment.

(2) The health care service plan shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.

(c) (1) A health care service plan or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the plan or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.

(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the plan or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of the fee-based payment method at any time.

(3) Upon receipt of the dental providers signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health care service plan or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments to the dental provider using a fee-based payment method.

(4) 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 or electronic 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. the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the plan or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.

(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) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health insurer.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. payment.(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) (1) A health insurer or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the insurer or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the health insurer or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of a fee-based payment method at any time.(3) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using a fee-based payment method.(4) 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 or electronic 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. payment pursuant to paragraph (1), the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the health insurer or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.

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) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health insurer.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. payment.(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) (1) A health insurer or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the insurer or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the health insurer or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of a fee-based payment method at any time.(3) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using a fee-based payment method.(4) 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 or electronic 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. payment pursuant to paragraph (1), the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the health insurer or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.

10123.146. (a) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this section:(1) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health insurer.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. payment.(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) (1) A health insurer or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the insurer or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the health insurer or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of a fee-based payment method at any time.(3) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using a fee-based payment method.(4) 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 or electronic 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. payment pursuant to paragraph (1), the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the health insurer or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.

10123.146. (a) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this section:(1) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health insurer.(2) 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.(3) 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.(4) 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. payment.(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.(c) (1) A health insurer or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the insurer or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the health insurer or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of a fee-based payment method at any time.(3) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using a fee-based payment method.(4) 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 or electronic 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. payment pursuant to paragraph (1), the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the health insurer or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.



10123.146. (a) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this section:

(1) Contracted vendor means a third party facilitating payment processing on behalf of the health insurer.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) 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. payment.

(2) A health insurer shall remit or associate with each payment the claims and claim details associated with payment.

(c) (1) A health insurer or its contracted vendor shall obtain a signed authorization or an electronic signature from a dental provider opting in to a fee-based payment method before the insurer or vendor provides a fee-based payment method to the provider.

(2) If At the time a dental provider opts in to a 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, charged by the health insurer or contracted vendor, alternative methods of payment, and instructions on how to opt-out of the fee-based payment method. method, and a notice of the dental providers ability to opt out of a fee-based payment method at any time.

(3) Upon receipt of the signed authorization, authorization or electronic signature, the health insurer or its contracted vendor subsequently may issue payments using a fee-based payment method.

(4) 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 or electronic 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. payment pursuant to paragraph (1), the providers payment method decision shall remain in effect until the provider informs the health insurer or contracted vendor of another preferred method of payment, including fee-based or non-fee-based methods.

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.