HR 1606 115th Congress House

DOC Access Act

Official title: To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to improve health care coverage under vision and dental plans, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 16, 2017 Introduced by: Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" Republican · Georgia See on congress.gov

Health Civil actions and liabilityDental careEmployee benefits and pensionsHealth care costs and insurance

More subjectsShow fewer subjects

Health care coverage and accessHearing, speech, and vision careState and local government operations

Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Mar 24, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Mar 17, 2017

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mar 17, 2017

Introduced in House

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Latest action March 24, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act or the DOC Access Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit group health plans and individual health insurance coverage from setting rates for items and services provided by a doctor of optometry, of dental surgery, or of dental medicine for which the plan or insurer does not pay a substantial amount.

An agreement between a plan or insurer and such a doctor: (1) may only be changed with the doctor's acknowledgement and acceptance, and (2) may last longer than two years only with the prior acceptance of the doctor for each term extension if the agreement is for limited scope dental or vision benefits.

Such a doctor must be allowed to participate in: (1) a plan or coverage without accepting terms for ancillary services or procedures, and (2) a provider network without participating in a specific limited scope dental or vision benefit plan.

Plans and insurers may not: (1) directly communicate with an enrolled individual in a manner that interferes with an existing doctor-patient relationship or a state or federal requirement, or (2) restrict such a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers.

The bill establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by a violation of this bill.

The bill is preempted by state laws regarding health insurers and dental or vision benefit plans.

Bill text 1 version