The Industry, Business and Labor Committee adopted amendments to House Bill 14‑81 that change the proposed dental medical loss ratio (MLR) requirements and add implementation detail. The committee replaced an 83 percent figure in the draft with a 75 percent MLR for dental insurers, added an exemption for carriers covering 1,000 lives or fewer on a cumulative three‑year average, and set an effective date of Jan. 1, 2027.

Representative Casper introduced the amendment, saying the effective date would allow the Insurance Department time to implement changes and that carriers with limited enrollment should be exempt. Casper said the change to a 75 percent MLR was supported by data showing the two largest carriers already had aggregate loss ratios above that threshold.

Crystal Bartuska of the North Dakota Insurance Department told committee members the department requested several of the drafting changes and supported a delayed effective date. “The amendments that Representative Casper have, was the request of us,” Bartuska said, adding that much of the bill duplicated existing rate‑approval code and that the remaining changes concern MLR concepts and reporting.

Committee members pressed the department on operational issues: whether the department could identify carriers with fewer than 1,000 covered lives, how the department would treat year‑to‑year enrollment fluctuations, and what staff or actuarial resources would be needed for implementation. Bartuska said carriers know their enrollment totals and suggested a multi‑year average would provide needed flexibility; she also said the department has one in‑house health actuary and would likely use outside actuarial support and rule‑making to implement the statute.

Representative Koppelman proposed language adding a three‑year average for the 1,000‑lives threshold and stamping the effective date as Jan. 1, 2027. That amendment was moved and adopted. Representative Koppelman later moved a do‑pass as amended; Representative Compliment (as recorded) seconded and the committee approved the bill as amended. Diane called the roll and recorded the committee’s vote; the committee chose Representative Greenberg as floor carrier.

Nut graf: The amendment narrows and times the policy change: insurers with smaller blocks of business will be exempt, the MLR threshold is set at 75 percent, and the delayed effective date gives the Insurance Department time to design reporting forms and, if necessary, administrative rules.

Members debated the policy rationale. Some members said the change provides transparency and could restore consumer confidence in dental insurance by ensuring a higher share of premium dollars is paid for direct dental care rather than overhead. Others cautioned that the dental market is a limited‑benefit product space with different pricing dynamics and questioned whether state MLR standards are the right tool.

Ending: The bill advances to the floor with Representative Greenberg listed as the committee carrier. The Insurance Department indicated additional rule‑making, reporting formats and potential outside actuarial assistance will be needed for implementation; the bill as amended leaves those operational details to the department.