Bill Sponsor
House Bill 1606
115th Congress(2017-2018)
DOC Access Act
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in House on Mar 17, 2017
Overview
Text
Introduced
Mar 17, 2017
Latest Action
Mar 24, 2017
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
1606
Congress
115
Policy Area
Health
Health
Primary focus of measure is science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease; health services administration and funding, including such programs as Medicare and Medicaid; health personnel and medical education; drug use and safety; health care coverage and insurance; health facilities. Measures concerning controlled substances and drug trafficking may fall under Crime and Law Enforcement policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
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Georgia
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Arizona
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Arizona
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California
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California
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Connecticut
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Florida
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Illinois
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Illinois
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Kansas
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Kentucky
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Louisiana
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Louisiana
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Maryland
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Mississippi
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Mississippi
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Missouri
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Missouri
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New Jersey
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New Jersey
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New Jersey
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New Mexico
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New York
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New York
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North Carolina
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North Carolina
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North Carolina
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North Carolina
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North Dakota
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Oklahoma
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Oklahoma
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Pennsylvania
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Rhode Island
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South Carolina
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Washington
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West Virginia
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Wisconsin
House Votes (0)
Senate Votes (0)
No House votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act or the DOC Access Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit group health plans and individual health insurance coverage from setting rates for items and services provided by a doctor of optometry, of dental surgery, or of dental medicine for which the plan or insurer does not pay a substantial amount.

An agreement between a plan or insurer and such a doctor: (1) may only be changed with the doctor's acknowledgement and acceptance, and (2) may last longer than two years only with the prior acceptance of the doctor for each term extension if the agreement is for limited scope dental or vision benefits.

Such a doctor must be allowed to participate in: (1) a plan or coverage without accepting terms for ancillary services or procedures, and (2) a provider network without participating in a specific limited scope dental or vision benefit plan.

Plans and insurers may not: (1) directly communicate with an enrolled individual in a manner that interferes with an existing doctor-patient relationship or a state or federal requirement, or (2) restrict such a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers.

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

The bill is preempted by state laws regarding health insurers and dental or vision benefit plans.

Text (1)
March 17, 2017
Actions (3)
03/24/2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
03/17/2017
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
03/17/2017
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:35:35 PM