Bill Summary
The "Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act" amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to enhance access to standalone dental plans available through Federal Exchanges. Specifically, it allows individuals to enroll in these dental plans without the requirement of also being enrolled in a qualified health plan. This change aims to make dental insurance more accessible to a broader range of people, promoting better oral health care options for those who may not need or want comprehensive health insurance but still seek dental coverage.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act" could affect people:
1. **Increased Access to Dental Care**: By allowing individuals to enroll in standalone dental plans without the requirement of also being enrolled in a qualified health plan, more people may gain access to dental insurance. This could particularly benefit those who may not require comprehensive health coverage but still need dental care, such as healthy individuals or young adults. As a result, more individuals may seek preventive dental services, leading to improved oral health outcomes in the community.
2. **Financial Relief for Families**: Families with tight budgets may find it challenging to afford both health and dental insurance. This legislation enables them to choose a standalone dental plan that fits their needs and financial situation without the necessity of purchasing a more expensive health plan they may not need. This could help alleviate financial stress and ensure that children and adults receive necessary dental treatments.
3. **Encouragement of Dental Health Providers**: With an increase in the number of people enrolling in standalone dental plans, dental health providers may see a rise in patient volume. This could encourage more dental practices to accept these plans, potentially leading to increased competition and innovation in the dental care marketplace. Additionally, more patients could lead to better resource allocation within dental practices and improve overall service quality.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1164 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1164
To allow additional individuals to enroll in standalone dental plans
offered through Federal Exchanges.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 27, 2025
Ms. Hassan (for herself, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Coons, Mr. Tillis, Mr.
Curtis, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Peters, and Mrs. Capito)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To allow additional individuals to enroll in standalone dental plans
offered through Federal Exchanges.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Increasing Access to Dental
Insurance Act''.
SEC. 2. STANDALONE DENTAL PLANS.
Section 1321 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42
U.S.C. 18041) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Availability of Standalone Dental Plans.--The Secretary may
not restrict any qualified individual from enrolling in a plan
described in section 1311(d)(2)(B)(ii) offered through an Exchange
established pursuant to subsection (c) on the basis of such qualified
individual not being also enrolled in a qualified health plan offered
through the Exchange.''.
<all>