Dental Plans Leaders Take Tax and Market Concerns to the Hill

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2018 -- National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) members will urge Congressional leaders to extend the moratorium on the Health Insurance Tax (HIT); maintain tax incentives on employer-sponsored dental plans and decouple the purchase of dental and medical coverage in the marketplaces, during its 2018 Congressional industry fly-in, “NADP Advocacy in Action,” March 21-22, in the nation’s Capital.

“As the voice of the dental benefits industry, advocating for improved consumer access to affordable dental care is the mission of NADP,” said Board Chair Theresa McConeghey of Principal. “We commend our members for their participation in the democratic process and representation of our industry.”

In face-to-face meetings with Members of Congress, NADP members will seek an extension of the Health Insurance Tax moratorium through 2020. A 2-percent fee would have a significant impact on the affordability of dental coverage as average annual change in premiums over the last five years range from plus 1.5 percent to negative .9 percent. Because 93 percent of Americans receive dental coverage through their work, NADP will also seek continued bi-partisan support for the tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health and dental benefits.

In addition, NADP will seek assistance from Congress to decouple the purchase of dental and medical coverage on public marketplaces. Currently, consumers must purchase medical coverage in order to buy dental coverage. In many cases when consumers drop or change medical coverage, their dental coverage is also discontinued even though it was not their intention. NADP is asking for Congress’s support in seeking a technical solution to this dilemma. 

NADP will also offer to serve as a resource regarding dental benefits in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The association also will thank elected officials for approving CHIP funding for 10 more years.

Advocacy in Action attendees will provide detailed documentation of the issues at the conclusion of their face-to-face meetings, and NADP will follow-up with policymakers throughout the year. These materials are also available on NADP’s website at www.nadp.org.

About NADP
National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), a Texas nonprofit corporation with headquarters in Dallas, Texas, is the representative and recognized resource of the dental benefits industry. NADP is the only national trade organization that includes the full spectrum of dental benefits companies operating in the United States. NADP’s members provide Dental HMO, Dental PPO, Dental Indemnity and Discount Dental products to more 195 million Americans.  

CONTACT:

Evelyn Ireland
NADP Executive Director
(972) 458-6998, x101
[email protected]