SB 335: Generally revise laws related to dental insurance - Montana

SB0335_X(5).pdf → SB0335_X(6).pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to streamline its title and clarify the definition of the 'medical loss ratio' by removing a specific requirement for rebates. New provisions were added to identify and report 'outlier' dental plans that deviate significantly from the average loss ratio, while also setting a safety threshold to prevent plans within 3 percentage points of the average from being flagged. Minor formatting adjustments were made to the page headers and section numbering.

Scope change

The bill's scope was slightly narrowed by removing a specific rebate mandate in the definitions section, but expanded regarding oversight through the addition of outlier identification and reporting requirements.

DEFINITION

Removed the specific instruction that excess funds must be refunded as a rebate from the 'medical loss ratio' definition.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement to calculate the average dental loss ratio and identify 'outlier' plans that fall outside one standard deviation of that average.

Established a protection clause stating plans within 3 percentage points of the average loss ratio cannot be considered outliers.

TECHNICAL

Adjusted the bill title to remove redundant words and fixed formatting inconsistencies in section headers and page numbers.

SB0335_2(16).pdf → SB0335_X.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates the Montana Dental Insurance Transparency and Accountability Act to improve clarity and modernize formatting. The changes primarily involve renaming the act to emphasize 'Transparency and Accountability,' refining the purpose statement to explicitly mention consumer rebates, and standardizing the layout for official enrollment. No substantive policy changes regarding thresholds, definitions, or enforcement mechanisms were made.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains unchanged; it still applies to individual and group dental insurance offered to Montana residents, excluding embedded dental benefits in health plans and Medicaid.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and purpose statement to explicitly include 'Transparency and Accountability' and clarify that rebates are for consumers in case of excess revenue.

Reformatted the text to match the standard layout of an enrolled bill, removing internal draft markers and correcting line breaks.

Adjusted punctuation and capitalization in section headers and definitions for consistency and readability.

SB0335_1(7).pdf → SB0335_2.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated to clarify that dental insurers must report specific cost-sharing details, such as deductibles and plan amounts, to consumers. Additionally, the text was edited to ensure the rebate requirement applies to all policyholders and certificate holders, regardless of whether they are individuals or part of a group.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding reporting requirements was expanded to include specific cost-sharing data, and the rebate applicability was clarified to cover all enrollees without exception.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement to report specific plan cost-sharing amounts and deductibles in the annual dental loss ratio report.

DEFINITION

Clarified that the annual rebate requirement applies to all policyholders and certificate holders, whether individual or part of a group.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting and numbering inconsistencies in the header and section titles.

LC0986.pdf → SB0335_1.pdf · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from LC 0986 to SB 335 and updated with the sponsor's name. Substantively, the bill adds a requirement for dental insurers to file detailed loss ratio reports with the state commissioner, including data on enrollees and coverage limits. It also mandates that insurers publish this data on their own websites and requires the commissioner to make the information publicly searchable. Finally, the bill establishes a rebate mechanism where insurers must return funds to policyholders if their spending on dental services falls below 80% of premium revenue.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include new transparency reporting requirements and a mandatory rebate program for dental insurers, while the bill number changed from LC 0986 to SB 335.

REQUIREMENT

Dental insurers must file annual loss ratio reports containing enrollee counts, coverage limits, and spending data by March 1.

Insurers are required to publish their specific loss ratio data on their own websites.

The state commissioner must make aggregated loss ratio data searchable on a public website.

FISCAL

Insurers must provide annual rebates to policyholders if their dental service spending is less than 80% of premium revenue.

TECHNICAL

The bill was renumbered from LC 0986 to SB 335 and the sponsor's name was added.

Generally revise laws related to dental insurance

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