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
Yvette D. Clarke
DDemocratic
Co
A. Drew Ferguson IV
RRepublican
Co
Adriano Espaillat
DDemocratic
Co
Alan S. Lowenthal
DDemocratic
Co
Albio Sires
DDemocratic
Co
Ann Kirkpatrick
DDemocratic
Co
Barbara Lee
DDemocratic
Co
Bennie G. Thompson
DDemocratic
Co
Beth Van Duyne
RRepublican
Co
Bill Foster
DDemocratic
Co
Bill Posey
RRepublican
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