Wis. legislators debate dental fee-capping bill

Wisconsin lawmakers are considering a bill that would permit dentists to change insurance coverage contracts to charge more for certain procedures.

AB109 would force changes in existing contracts between dentists and insurers so that insurance companies can no longer require dentists to charge in-network patients less for certain services, according to an Associated Press story. Current law allows insurance companies to negotiate with dentists to reduce prices charged to patients who are members of that insurance plan.

The Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA), which has worked to change the law, said the measure would correct the unfair practice by large insurance companies of dictating the fees for services they don't cover.

The bill's supporters said under the current law, dentists are forced to pass costs of care for one group of patients who have insurance plans requiring discounts along to others who pay out of pocket or don't have coverage. That results in a "hidden tax" on those who pay out of pocket, according to a letter sent to legislators by the WDA's lobbyist.

The bill will help small dental offices that are barred by antitrust laws from joining together to negotiate "meaningful changes" to unfair provisions in their contracts, the WDA said.

Business lobbies sent a letter to lawmakers urging that the bill be defeated, saying it would hinder the state's competitiveness by allowing state government to pick winners and losers in private business contracts.

The Republican-controlled state Assembly passed the bill on April 17 on a bipartisan vote 89-8; the bill now goes to the Senate.