An Act To Expand Adult Dental Health Insurance Coverage
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 0441
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Sponsors: BROOKS
Amends: 24 MRSA §2317-B, 24-A MRSA §4320-P, 22 MRSA §8718

Legislative Document
No. 441
H.P. 317
House of Representatives, February 16, 2021
An Act To Expand Adult Dental Health Insurance Coverage
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 11, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered 
printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative BROOKS of Lewiston.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
PART A
Sec. A-1.  24 MRSA §2317-B, sub-§22, as amended by PL 2019, c. 605, §3, is 
further amended to read:
22.  Title 24-A, section 4320-M.  Coverage for abortion services, Title 24‑A, section 
4320‑M; and
Sec. A-2.  24 MRSA §2317-B, sub-§23, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 605, §4, is 
amended to read:
23.  Title 24-A, sections 2766-A and 2847-W.  The prohibition on a dental benefit 
waiting period for persons under 19 years of age, Title 24‑A, sections 2766‑A and 2847‑W.; 
and
Sec. A-3.  24 MRSA §2317-B, sub-§24 is enacted to read:
24.  Title 24-A, section 4320-P.  Coverage for comprehensive dental services, Title 
24-A, section 4320-P.
Sec. A-4.  24-A MRSA §4320-P is enacted to read:
§4320-P.  Coverage for comprehensive dental services
1.  Definition.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, 
"comprehensive dental services" means any services necessary to maintain oral health and 
prevent disease, restore oral structures to health and function and treat emergency 
conditions.
2.  Required coverage.  A carrier offering a health plan in this State shall provide 
coverage for comprehensive dental services.
3.  Limits; coinsurance; deductibles.  A health plan that provides coverage for the 
services required by this section may contain provisions for maximum benefits and 
coinsurance and reasonable limitations, deductibles and exclusions to the extent that these 
provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements of this section.
4.  Coordination of benefits with dental insurance.  If an enrollee eligible for 
coverage under this section is also eligible for coverage under a dental insurance policy or 
contract, the insurer providing dental insurance is the primary payer responsible for charges 
under subsection 2 and the carrier is the secondary payer.
Sec. A-5.  Application.  The requirements of this Part apply to all policies, contracts 
and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State 
on or after January 1, 2022. For purposes of this Part, all contracts are deemed to be 
renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.
PART B
Sec. B-1.  22 MRSA §8718 is enacted to read:
§8718.  Dental provider database
The organization shall develop and maintain a database to provide information on 
available dentists in this State who provide dental services to MaineCare members, 
including children. The database of available dentists must be posted on a publicly 
accessible website for use by the public. The organization shall collaborate with the 
department as necessary on the development and maintenance of the database of available 
dentists.
SUMMARY
Part A of the bill requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for 
comprehensive dental services. Part A applies to policies and contracts issued or renewed 
on or after January 1, 2022.
Part B of the bill requires the Maine Health Data Organization to develop and maintain 
a database of dentists providing dental care to MaineCare members, including children, and 
to post that information on a publicly accessible website.