HR 3461 United States House · 117th Congress

DOC Access Act of 2021

Summary
Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2021 or the DOC Access Act of 20 21 This bill prohibits private health insurance plans from setting rates for items and services, except for dental cleanings, provided by a doctor of optometry, of dental surgery, or of dental medicine for which the plan does not pay a substantial amount. Additionally, an agreement between a plan and such a doctor for limited scope dental or vision benefits may last longer than two years only with the prior acceptance of the doctor for each term extension. Plans also may not restrict such a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers. Such doctors may elect to waive the application of the payment amount and choice of laboratories provisions of this bill. The bill establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by a violation of this bill. The bill does not supersede state laws regarding health insurers and dental or vision benefit plans.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2021
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced May 21, 2021 Last action May 24, 2021
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
2
May 24, 2021
Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
lower
May 21, 2021
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
lower
May 21, 2021
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 76 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Yvette D. Clarke
Yvette D. Clarke
DDemocratic
NY
9
Co
Photo of A. Drew Ferguson IV
A. Drew Ferguson IV
RRepublican
GA
3
Co
Photo of Adriano Espaillat
Adriano Espaillat
DDemocratic
NY
13
Co
Photo of Alan S. Lowenthal
Alan S. Lowenthal
DDemocratic
CA
47
Co
Photo of Albio Sires
Albio Sires
DDemocratic
NJ
8
Co
Photo of Ann Kirkpatrick
Ann Kirkpatrick
DDemocratic
AZ
2
Co
Photo of Barbara Lee
Barbara Lee
DDemocratic
CA
12
Co
Photo of Bennie G. Thompson
Bennie G. Thompson
DDemocratic
MS
2
Co
Photo of Beth Van Duyne
Beth Van Duyne
RRepublican
TX
24
Co
Photo of Bill Foster
Bill Foster
DDemocratic
IL
11
Co
Photo of Bill Posey
Bill Posey
RRepublican
FL
8