Delta Dental commends U.S. Senate for move to help kids get dental coverage

Bipartisan legislation makes it easier for parents to choose the dental coverage that's right for their kids

OAK BROOK, Illinois - July 15, 2016 - Yesterday, Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced bipartisan legislation, The Aligning Children's Dental Coverage Act (S. 3244), to ensure that American families can select the dental coverage that's best for their children without unnecessary disruption.

"This is a common sense solution to an issue that could pose big problems to families and children across the nation," said Jason Daughn, vice president of government relations for Delta Dental Plans Association. "Delta Dental commends Senators Roberts and Bennet for their leadership in introducing this legislation to help Americans choose the dental benefits that are right for their children."

The Senate legislation is a companion to HR 3463, sponsored by Representatives Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO).

The legislation clarifies that people outside the public Exchanges can have the same choices for dental coverage as people inside the public Exchanges. Currently:

Inside the Exchanges, parents can pick stand-alone dental benefits for their children as an option. About 99 percent of Americans choose to select dental coverage separately from their medical coverage. Outside the public Exchanges, however, the Affordable Care Act isn't clear on whether families can purchase stand-alone dental plans as part of the required pediatric dental care benefit.  As a result, individuals, employers, and carriers are confused about what coverage options are available, and the issue could disrupt care for roughly 1.3 million children covered by Delta Dental member companies, and millions more across the nation

Delta Dental is urging Congress for swift passage of the legislation.