HB 1018 - DIGEST

Finds that: (1) In 2000, the patient bill of rights was enacted to ensure that health insurers use appropriate medical personnel to make health care decisions and enrollees have access to an impartial process for appealing an insurer's decisions; and

(2) The patient bill of rights has been successful in protecting consumers by establishing fair health insurance practices.

Declares an intent to curb abuses by dental plans by: (1) Extending the protections of the patient bill of rights to health plans that offer dental only coverage;

(2) Protecting health care providers who advocate on behalf of their dental patients; and

(3) Prohibiting other unfair dental insurance practices.