Committee approves bill to speed dentist credentialing with 30-day standard and clarifying amendment

The House Health and Human Services Committee advanced House Bill 402, amended to replace generic "providers" language with specific references to "dentists," requiring insurers to process complete credentialing applications for dentists within 30 days.

Representative Hernandez, sponsor, told the committee the bill extends provisions of 2023 Senate Bill 232 (which addressed physicians) to dentists. The bill requires insurers to notify applicants of missing documents within ten working days, provides a 15-day extension when applicants have licensing-board sanctions or active investigations, and standardizes credentialing forms to reduce delays. Sponsor and supporters said the change will help address New Mexico's shortage of dental providers, particularly in rural areas.

Tom Skripcima (New Mexico Dental Association) and other dental clinics testified that credentialing delays can take months and discourage dentists from practicing in New Mexico. Roy Soto, lobbyist for Choice Healthcare Services, which operates clinics in underserved communities, said the bill would "level the playing field" with neighboring states. The New Mexico Medical Society and other stakeholder groups expressed support.

The committee considered a readability amendment (231110.1) that replaced general references to "provider" with "dentist" throughout to make statutory text clearer; the committee adopted the amendment. Representative Hernandez told members she would consider a substitute in subsequent committees to change references (for example, from "New Mexico Medical Board" to the appropriate dental board) when needed.

A motion to advance House Bill 402 as amended carried; the committee recorded the bill as having a do pass. There was no recorded opposition during the hearing.