Ryan Measure to Streamline Dental Insurance Remove Costly Barrier to Care Signed into Law

EVERGREEN PARK, Ill. — A measure led in the House by state Rep. Rick Ryan, D- Evergreen Park, to streamline dental insurance by allowing carriers to send payments directly to providers instead of having dentists collect payments directly from patients was recently signed into law.

“One of my chief goals as I represent our neighborhood is to get rid of financial barriers to vital health care for people who live here,” Ryan said. “Healthy teeth aren’t a luxury, they’re a necessity. Filling cavities and placing crowns shouldn’t strain patients’ back accounts, and I’m going to help ensure they don’t.”

Ryan is continuing his work to cut costs of living and create a more efficient healthcare system by sponsoring Senate Bill 1392 as it passes the House. An initiative on behalf of the Illinois State Dental Society, the measure allows dental insurance carriers to send payments directly to providers instead of having dentists collect directly from patients or requiring payment upfront.

This measure was passed with strong bipartisan support in the state House and Senate and was signed into law recently.

“We are making a commonsense change that slashes duplicative work and streamlines our dental healthcare system,” Ryan said. “Bringing this type of care in-line with other healthcare procedures will create a simpler and easier process for all Illinois patients.”