Virginia numbers ninth state to adopt noncovered services law

Richmond, Va.鈥擜fter what the executive director of the Virginia Dental Association called an aggressive and vicious fight, Virginia鈥檚 governor became the latest to sign a bill capping noncovered services.

Gov. Bob McDonnell signed the bill April 13. Virginia鈥檚 new law disallows insurance companies to determine fees for procedures they provide no benefits for, said Dr. Terry Dickinson, executive director of the VDA.

鈥淚f the insurance company is not providing any kind of benefit, then they are not allowed to set fees,鈥?Dr. Dickinson said.

The American Dental Association opposes this practice.

Virginia becomes the ninth state to sign a bill into law disallowing this practice. Nine additional states have active legislation in play at various stages in their respective state legislatures.

Dentists and insurance companies must abide by the law unless there is a contract between the two parties that stipulates the insurance company can dictate fees for noncovered services, Dr. Dickinson said. But dentists can provide notice to the insurance companies to have the contracts amended or rewritten, he said.

The debate grew fiery at times, with an insurer-labor coalition charging in a Web advertisement that 鈥淢any Virginia residents who have dental insurance will pay more out of their own pockets if two bills introduced in the 2010 General Assembly (SB 622 and HB 1263) pass.鈥?(ADA News Daily, Noncovered service caps legislation at issue in Virginia)

The VDA posted the coalition ad on its Web site (www.vadental.org) and invited members to 鈥淩ead What Delta is Saying About the VDA鈥?and 鈥渁ct NOW鈥?in urging legislators鈥?support for the legislation. The VDA also went public in video and other online messages 鈥淭o the Citizens of Virginia & the Virginia General Assembly On behalf of Quality Dental Care, Patient鈥檚 Rights and Free Market Competition.鈥?br />

鈥淲e were a little surprised at the aggressiveness and the viciousness of the fight that was initiated by these insurance companies,鈥?Dr. Dickinson said. 鈥淪o, consequently, it took us a great deal more resources, time and energy to be able to be successful. In the end, we were overwhelmingly supported by both the House and the Senate sides of our legislature.鈥澛?/p>