Purpose

To regulate how long-term dental work is paid for, by prohibiting upfront prepayment for lengthy treatment plans and requiring installment payments after care begins.

Main Provisions

• Adds a new subdivision (Subd.5) to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 150A.11.
• For dental services in a dental treatment plan that is scheduled to take more than 90 days to complete, a dentist or dental practice may not require the patient to prepay any portion of the amount owed before starting the dental services.
• Once services begin under such a plan, the dentist must allow the patient to pay with at least two payments that are due at least 30 days apart.
• This provision applies specifically to plans scheduled to take more than 90 days; other cases are not covered by this subdivision.

Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new Subdivision 5 (Subd.5) within Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 150A.11, regulating prepayment for long-duration dental services. No other changes to the statute are described in the text provided.

Potential Impact

• Protects patients from large upfront charges for lengthy dental treatments.
• Improves payment flexibility for patients undergoing complex or extended dental work.
• Requires dental practices to adjust billing practices to accommodate at least two installment payments spaced at least 30 days apart.

Relevant Terms prepayment, upfront payment, dental services, dental treatment plan, more than 90 days, installment payments, two payments, due at least 30 days apart, dentist, dental practice, Minnesota Statutes, section 150A.11, patient