Dental plans would keep dentists’ payment choices in place

Dental plans, their payment vendors, and health maintenance organizations would have to keep a dentist’s selected alternative payment method in place. It would apply when a dentist selects an alternative way to receive payment from a dental benefit plan, its contracted vendor, or a health maintenance organization. The choice would remain in force for the contract’s duration and any extension.

Plans, their payment vendors, and health maintenance organizations would have to tell dentists about fees and available payment methods when starting or changing electronic payments. This would apply to electronic payments to a dentist, including virtual credit card payments. They would have to give clear instructions for choosing another payment method. The notice and instructions would be required when electronic payments are started or changed.

Plans and their payment partners would not be allowed to require a credit card as the only acceptable way to pay a dentist. It would cover payment from a dental benefit plan, its contracted vendor, or a health maintenance organization to a dentist.

Plans and their payment partners would not be allowed to charge a dentist only for sending an automated clearing house payment unless the dentist agreed. This would apply when a dental benefit plan, its contracted vendor, or a health maintenance organization sends a dentist payment through the automated clearing house network. A dentist’s agent could still charge reasonable fees for added services, such as transaction or data management, portal services, or other services beyond the bank transfer.