The Washington state insurance commissioner has fined a dental insurer $300,000 for provider contract and customer service issues.
Dental Health Services, the second-largest dental insurer in the state, has been fined for multiple complaints about provider contracts with dentists and for reports of a lack of consumer access to the company. The fine focuses on two violations regarding consumers and enrollees:
- Failure to resolve consumer grievances in a timely manner
- Failure to deliver enrollment and membership materials to enrollees
In addition to the fine, the Long Beach, CA-based company was ordered to develop a compliance plan to resolve consumer concerns and fix the issues with provider contracts by October 30, as well as hire an external auditor.
