2010 Arkansas Code
Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries
Subtitle 3 - Insurance
Chapter 99 - Health Care Providers
Subchapter 6 - Dental Point of Service Act
§ 23-99-604 - Coverage for out-of-network dentists.

23-99-604. Coverage for out-of-network dentists.

(a) Every health plan which provides dental benefits issued, renewed, extended, or modified by a health carrier shall also include a point-of-service option which provides benefits to covered persons through dentists who are not members of the carrier's provider network.

(b) (1) The benefits offered under this option shall be the same as those offered through the network.

(2) The rate of reimbursement for out-of-network dentists may differ from the rate of reimbursement for noncapitated dentists in the network but by no more than ten percent (10%).

(3) The copayment, coinsurance, and other cost-sharing features may differ between the use of in-network and out-of-network dentists but by no more than twenty-five percent (25%).

(c) The out-of-network dentist may bill the patient for the balance of any charges which are not otherwise reimbursed by the health carrier. However, if after a request by the covered person in advance of treatment the provider fails to disclose a reasonable range of the total of charges for nonemergency services to be provided, the covered person shall not be liable for such additional charges.

(d) The health carrier shall fully disclose to the covered person, in clear, understandable language, the terms and conditions of this option. This requirement may be satisfied by the health carrier's providing to the employer or other purchaser of the plan presentation materials for dissemination to covered persons.