On March 12, 2026, Representatives Jeff Van Drew, DMD (R-NJ-02) and Herb Conaway (D-NJ-03) introduced the Improving Dental Administration Act of 2026. The legislation would apply state dental insurance reform and patient protection laws to self-funded dental plans and their administrators.

Nearly half of dental plan enrollees are covered through self-funded dental plans, which are regulated under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). As a result, these plans have been able to avoid compliance with state laws designed to protect patients and dental providers. The Improving Dental Administration Act would close this loophole by clarifying that self-funded dental plans must comply with applicable state dental insurance laws. The bill would establish uniform consumer protections across all dental plans, ensuring equal protections for patients regardless of plan structure, while increasing transparency and accountability in the dental insurance market.