AzDA 2024 Accomplishments

HB2444 (Supported and signed by the Governor)

Why this is important: What do you do when a claim has been denied, delayed, or disallowed by an insurance company? In the past, the answer was “Not too much.” However, with this bill, you’ll have the ability to file a grievance against the insurance company through the Arizona Department of Insurance (DIFI). There will be tougher rules on what insurance companies can disallow, and DIFI will be required to report on how many grievances were filed. 1) Denials, Delays, and Disallows—What do you do when a claim has been denied, delayed, or disallowed by an insurance company? In the past, the answer was “Not too much.” However, with this bill, you’ll have the ability to file a grievance against the insurance company through the Arizona Department of Insurance (DIFI). There will be tougher rules on what insurance companies can disallow, and DIFI will be required to report on how many grievances were filed.

2) Credentialing Timeline—Insurance companies have up to 30 days to credential an AHCCCS provider. This legislation requires them to adhere to the same 30-day limit to credential a dentist in private practice.

SB1070 (Supported and signed by the Governor)

Why this is important: Through legislation that AzDA pushed years ago, insurance companies were no longer allowed to force providers to take virtual credit cards (which took money away from the practice). Through legislation that AzDA's Advocacy Team helped to get passed, providers were permitted to "opt-out" of receiving this form of payment.

However, insurance companies began requiring providers to continue to opt out of this form of payment—in some cases, every few months. If the provider failed to opt-out, they would begin receiving virtual credit card payments again. Frustrating, right?

This new bill forces insurance companies to abide by your wishes to stay opted out of virtual credit cards until your contract is renewed or you elect to opt in. This will save you and your staff time and loads of headaches.

SB1037 (Supported. This bill was held)

AHCCCS; Comprehensive Dental Care. This bill removes restrictions on only being able to provide Medicaid patients with emergency care and allows you to provide comprehensive dental care, which will allow you to bill for more services and give you the ability to treat patients the way you feel is best. This is a win for you and for your AHCCCS patients.

SB1154 (Opposed. This bill was defeated)

If passed, this bill would require the Dental Board to add an additional hygienist to the two who are already serving on BODEX. Currently, only 6 of the 11 board members are dentists. By adding another hygienist, which will create an imbalance between the clinical experts (dentists) and hygienists and at large members.

HB2599 (Supported and signed by the Governor)

This bill was introduced late by the AZ Department of Insurance (DIFI) and was an unwelcome surprise. DIFI did not have any meetings with AzDA or any other stakeholders before introducing the legislation. This bill gives insurance companies the ability to deny reimbursement for procedures/treatments that are deemed experimental or off-label, including administering Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF).

HB2306 (Supported but the bill was defeated)

Dental Board; Business Entities; Enforcement

Gives the Dental Board the authority to send cease and desist communications to unlicensed entities, e.g., denturists, labs). In the past, unlicensed entities were outside of the board’s authority to regulate. NOTE: Although the bill died, the AG’s office determined that BODEX has the authority for cease/desist.

HB2639 (Supported. This bill was defeated, but it has led to ongoing, productive talks with DANB)

Dental Assistants; Education

In order to address workforce issues dentists are wrestling with and to relieve dental assistants being forced to take an antiquated DANB test, this legislation allows dental assistants (DAs) to get their certification for coronal polish and X-rays through the DANB test OR through taking CE which the Dental Board requires. This will help bring on new DAs and make every new DA very happy they don’t have to go through DANB.

HB2513 (Supported. Due to the State’s expenses being well over budget, this bill was defeated.)

Preventive Dental Care

Adding preventive care to the Adult Dental AHCCCS $1,000 limit. This bill passed the House and Senate last year, but did not get in the budget.