SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 176X, as inserted by chapter 287 of the acts of 2022 is hereby amended by inserting before the definition of “Carrier” the following definition:-

“Annual benefit maximum”, the total dollar amount that a dental carrier will pay for a plan member’s care within the given plan year.

SECTION 2. Said section 1 of said chapter 176X, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the definition of “Carrier” the following definition:-

“Cost-Sharing”, the share of costs for the services covered by the dental benefit plan that are paid out of a beneficiary’s pocket, including but not limited to co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance.

SECTION 3.  Section 1 of said chapter 176X, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the definition of “Dental benefit plans” the following definition:-

“Out-of-pocket costs”, expenses paid for dental care that are not reimbursed by insurance, including but not limited to: deductibles, coinsurance and copayments for covered services plus all costs for services that aren't covered.

SECTION 4. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, subsection (b) of section 2 of said chapter 176X as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting in line 8, after the words “associated with paying claims.” the following sentence:-

The commissioner shall additionally require carriers offering dental benefit plans to submit information regarding out-of-pocket costs for dental plan members, including but not limited to: (i) annual benefit maximums, and (ii) cost-sharing including, but not limited to co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance.

SECTION 5. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, subsection (c) of said section 2 of said chapter 176X as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting, in line 6,  after the words “not actuarially sound.”, the following sentence:-

The commissioner may disapprove proposed changes to the base rates and changes to rating factors if the commissioner finds an increase in out-of-pocket costs paid by a carrier’s beneficiaries is unreasonable or excessive.