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S 4894 116th Congress Senate Health Civil actions and liability Dental care Employee benefits and pensions Health care costs and insurance Health care coverage and access Hearing, speech, and vision care State and local government operations

DOC Access Act of 2019

Introduced: November 12, 2020 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 12, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Nov 12, 2020
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2019 or the DOC Access Act of 2019

This bill prohibits private health insurance plans from setting rates for items and services, except for dental cleanings, provided by a doctor of optometry, of dental surgery, or of dental medicine for which the plan does not pay a substantial amount.

Additionally, an agreement between a plan and such a doctor for limited scope dental or vision benefits may last longer than two years only with the prior acceptance of the doctor for each term extension. Plans also may not restrict such a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers.

Such doctors may elect to waive the application of the payment amount and choice of laboratories provisions of this bill.

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

The bill does not supersede state laws regarding health insurers and dental or vision benefit plans.

What's happening now November 12, 2020

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 3762 Related bill DOC Access Act of 2019
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Cramer, Kevin
North Dakota · Nov 12, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 4894: DOC Access Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-4894/
MLA
"S. 4894: DOC Access Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-4894/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 4894, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-4894/.
Markdown link
[S. 4894: DOC Access Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-4894/)
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