Legislative Session
The 2025 Missouri Legislative Session began January 8 and will end May 16.
- MDA Dental Day is March 5. Registration is now closed. If you would still like to attend, please contact Halie Payne.
- The following provides the 2025 legislative agenda, along with other dental-related items we will be monitoring.
- For more in-depth reporting, read the Pulse in Missouri Politics from MDA lobby firm, Gamble & Schlemeier.
MDA Priorities
Dental Loss Ratio
The MDA has created a public relations/education campaign about DLR.
2025 Activity
- HB439 sponsored by Rep. Kent Haden: Requires dental plans file with the Department of Commerce and Insurance a dental loss ratio report, as the term "dental loss ratio" is defined in the bill, for each calendar year during which the plan provided dental coverage containing the same information as required in the 2013 Federal Dental Loss Ratio Annual Reporting Form. Last action: 01/09/2025 - H - Read Second Time
- SB680 sponsored by Sen. Jill Carter: Requires dental plans, as defined in the act, to submit certain data to the Department of Commerce and Insurance. Dental plans shall provide annual rebates to enrollees by August 1 of the year following the applicable plan year if the dental loss ratio, as defined in the act, for the plan year is less than 85%. Last action: 02/05/2025 - S - Introduced and Read First Time
In 2024, legislation was filed to establish a DLR in Missouri at 85% for both large and small group plans. Due to filing time, and the incredibly unproductive session, it saw little movement.
Enacting DLR legislation is a critical step to tempering the influence insurance companies have over how dentists serve their patients and run their practices. Setting minimum standards of transparency and consumer protection regarding how dental insurers spend patient premiums, as is standard in the medical industry, would go a long way toward improving patient access to the care they need from their dental provider. The Affordable Care Act established that major medical plans pay certain percentages of the collected premiums for medical care vs. administrative costs. For example, large group plans must spend at least 85% of their collected premiums on care delivered to patients and no more than 15% can be spent on administrative costs and profit. No such requirement exists for dental plans, which are considered “excepted benefits.” Click to read more from the ADA about DLR.
Oral Preventive Assistant
This session the MDA also is strategizing on the future of the Oral Preventive Assistant EFDA. The clinical testing of that pilot project commenced in December with sites reporting on outcomes for the next several months that will inform future progress.
- Of related note, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) adopted the ADA-crafted Dental Access Model Act which consisted of three parts including, authorization of oral preventive assistants, based on a pilot program created by the MDA.
- Not only does this provide validation for the MDA OPA EFDA model in Missouri to assist us when talking with lawmakers, but the model helps other states trying make workforce progress.
Dental Budget Items
Outside of filing legislation, work is still being done to maintain Dental Medicaid reimbursement rates, as well as fix issues within the system to make it more efficient for providers to enroll and provide these services. Along with Medicaid appropriations, the MDA will be advocating for increased funding for Elks Mobile Dental Services and continued funding for the Donated Dental Services program.
Legislation We're Monitoring
Dental Compacts
2025 Activity (ADSO Filed Legislation)
- HB56 sponsored by Rep. Jeff Coleman: Dentists and dental hygienists licensed in a state that are participating in the Interstate Compact can practice in other participating states without additional requirements. The bill also enhances the ability of participating states to protect the public health and safety and cooperate in regulating the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene. Last action: 02/06/2025 - H - Referred to House-Professional Registration and Licensing.
- SB327 sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown: This act establishes the Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact ("Compact"), which facilitates the interstate practice of dentistry and dental hygiene and provides for dentists and dental hygienists licensed in a participating state the ability to practice in other participating states. The Compact sets forth the requirements to be met in order for a state to join and the requirements for a dentist or dental hygienist to obtain and exercise the ability to practice in other participating states. Last action: 02/13/2025 - S - Referred to Senate-Emerging Issues and Professional Registration.
In 2024, the American Dental Support Organization (ADSO) introduced the compact to the Missouri Legislature. Unfortunately, due to infighting between the Missouri Republican Party and the Freedom Caucus, the bill was unsuccessful.
The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact is a legally binding agreement among states that provides a pathway through which dentists and dental hygienists can obtain compact privileges which authorize practice in states where they are not licensed. A state must enact the compact model legislation through the state’s legislative process to join the Compact. Dentists and dental hygienists who are licensed in one compact member state can practice in another participating state by obtaining a compact privilege. Click to learn more. The MDA will monitor this legislation and offer support as appropriate.
