Dental Advocay: Legislative

Every session thousands of new pieces of legislation are introduced in the state Legislature. A multitude of them can affect your practice, your patients and oral health. It's important to take the time to learn about the issues NJDA is addressing in Trenton. Below please find bills currently in the New Jersey legislature that NJDA is monitoring and lobbying.

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2024-2025 Legislative Session

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BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW DURING THE 2022-2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

 S. 765/A.3246, sponsored by Senators Nellie Pou (Bergen and Passaic) and Joe Pennacchio (Essex, Morris, and Passaic), prohibits carrier from precluding dentist from billing covered person under certain circumstances.  VIEW

This bill passed the Senate on 6/29/22

This bill passed the Assembly on 12/21/23

This bill was signed into law on 1/8/24

NJDA Statement: This legislation, among other things, prohibits dental insurance plans from disallowing the collection of payment for covered dental services when a dentist obtains written informed consent from a patient prior to a procedure being performed. This consumer-focused legislation gives patients information to make their dental health determinations, and ensures that practitioners will be fairly compensated for the care the patient needs and wants.
NJDA Testimony to the Senate Commerce Committee 6/9/22
NJDA Desk Memo To Senators 6/29/22		NJDA TESTIMONY TO THE ASSEMBLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE 12/11/23
NJDA Desk Memo to the NJ Assembly 12/21/23		NJDA Letter to the Governor 12/26/23


S.3133/A.4913, sponsored by Senator Gordon Johnson (Bergen), Requires health insurance carriers to reimburse health care providers using check or electronic funds transfer. VIEW

This bill passed the Assembly on 6/30/23

This bill passed the Senate on 12/21/23

This bill was signed into law on 1/8/24

NJDA Statement: The NJDA supports this legislation, which would prohibit the health insurance companies from issuing virtual credit cards for claims payments. This practice has become a growing trend among insurance carriers and third party administrators. While dental offices can process these payments just like it does any other credit card transaction, it has been reported that this form of claims payment regularly carries a higher processing fee than a traditional debit or credit card. It is the NJDA’s position that dental practices should not be paying processing fees for claims payments issued by insurance carriers, particularly when other, no-charge options are available - including ACH payments and traditional paper checks. With the introduction of this legislation, New Jersey adds its name to a growing list of states that have taken action against virtual credit card payment for healthcare claims. The other states include: Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Utah.

NJDA Testimony to the Assembly Health Committee 1/12/23
NJDA Desk Memo To Assembly Health Committee 1/12/23		NJDA Testimony to the Assembly Insurance Committee 3/9/23
NJDA Desk Memo To Assembly Insurance Committee 3/9/23		NJDA Testimony to the Senate
Commerce Committee 12/4/2023
NJDA Letter to the Governor 12/26/23		.
VIRTUAL CREDIT CARDS: HOW THEY WORK & TOTAL IMPACT (6 MINUTE INTERVIEW)