(a) A health care insurer who provides coverage for dental care may not include in the health care insurance plan or contract a provision that
(1) prohibits a covered person from obtaining dental care services from a dentist of the person's choice, including a specialist;
(2) restricts a covered person's right to receive full information from the person's dentist regarding the care or treatment options that the dentist believes are in the best interests of the person.
(b) A health care insurance plan or contract that provides coverage for dental services that allows the health care insurer to review a treatment plan or conduct a utilization review must contain a provision that a treatment plan review or utilization review relating to dental care for a covered person receiving treatment in this state must be conducted by a dentist if the claim for reimbursement or payment is denied.
(c) A health care insurer that provides coverage for dental care
(1) may reimburse a covered person at a different rate because of the person's choice of a dentist if the dentist is not a part of the covered person's dental network or preferred provider organization agreement; the covered expense for non-network providers may not be less than that allowed to a network provider, although the covered expense may be reimbursed at a lower percentage or with higher deductibles than if the service had been provided within the network;
(2) may not limit a fee set by a dentist for a service unless the service is covered under the insurer's plan or contract; and
(3) may offer a dentist the option of entering into a preferred provider contract with the insurer that provides a fee schedule for covered services only or a fee schedule for both covered and uncovered services; under this paragraph,
(A) the health care insurer may not
(i) take an action against the dentist based on the dentist's refusal to enter into a contract with an insurer;
(ii) fail to list a dentist who does not enter into a contract with an insurer in the insurer's marketing materials; or
(iii) take action against the dentist during the management or administration of a contract based on the dentist's choice of contract;
(B) the terms or provisions of the contract
(i) may not violate AS 45.50.562 - 45.50.566; and
(ii) may authorize the insurer to provide information to the insured describing the dentist's choice of contract and fee schedules;
(C) “covered service” means a health care service for which a health care insurer pays a benefit for all or part of the service, including a benefit that is available but limited by deductible, coinsurance, or frequency terms under the contract between the insurer and the insured.
(d) A health care insurer may not deny
(1) dental coverage, cancel a health care insurance plan or contract, or otherwise take action against a covered person or a dentist because the person has asserted a right described in this section;
(2) dental coverage or eligibility for dental coverage because the covered person chooses a dentist outside of a preferred provider organization agreement.
(e) A covered person may bring a civil action against a health care insurer to enforce the person's rights under this section if the covered person has exhausted the administrative appeal process.
(f) A dentist who treats a covered person may not waive uncovered dental expenses for which the covered person has liability because a covered person chose the dentist outside of a dental network or a preferred provider organization agreement.
(g) In this section,
(1) “covered expense” means charges that are payable under plan provisions;
(2) “dentist” means a person licensed to practice dentistry;
(3) “preferred provider” means a dental provider who has signed an agreement with a dental care plan to provide services to plan participants at a specific rate.
Structure Alaska Statutes
Chapter 42. The Insurance Contract
Article 2. Specific Coverage Provisions.
Sec. 21.42.345. Required provision for coverage of dependents.
Sec. 21.42.347. Coverage for costs of birth.
Sec. 21.42.349. Coverage for newborn and infant hearing screening.
Sec. 21.42.351. Coverage for well-baby exams.
Sec. 21.42.353. Coverage for the costs of acupuncture treatment.
Sec. 21.42.355. Coverage for cost of services provided by certified nurse midwives.
Sec. 21.42.363. Eye care under health insurance.
Sec. 21.42.365. Coverage for treatment of alcoholism or drug abuse.
Sec. 21.42.375. Coverage for mammograms.
Sec. 21.42.377. Coverage for colorectal cancer screening.
Sec. 21.42.380. Coverage for treatment of phenylketonuria.
Sec. 21.42.385. Dental, vision, and hearing coverage.
Sec. 21.42.390. Coverage for treatment of diabetes.
Sec. 21.42.392. Requirements relating to dental care coverage provisions.
Sec. 21.42.395. Coverage for prostate and cervical cancer detection.
Sec. 21.42.397. Coverage for autism spectrum disorders.
Sec. 21.42.400. Coverage for reconstructive surgery following mastectomy.
Sec. 21.42.405. High deductible health plan.
Sec. 21.42.410. Coverage of dependent students on medically necessary leaves of absence.
Sec. 21.42.415. Coverage for clinical trials related to cancer.
Sec. 21.42.420. Coverage for prescription drugs; specialty drug tiers prohibited.
Sec. 21.42.422. Coverage for telehealth.
Sec. 21.42.425. Coverage for prescription topical eye medication.
Sec. 21.42.430. Coverage for anti-cancer medication.
Sec. 21.42.440. Coverage for costs of services provided by pharmacists.