Chamber Opposes Dental, Workers' Comp Bills.

The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce is asking its members to oppose a state Senate bill regarding coverage for out-of-network dentists and a cluster of bills amending the state Workers' Compensation Act.

Senate Bill 468, sponsored by state Sen. Percy Malone, D-Arkadelphia, will allow a person with dental benefits to use any dentist, even if the dentist is not in the patient's health plan.

"It's going to take away the incentives for dentists to participate in managed care," Kenneth Hall, vice president for governmental affairs for the state chamber, said. "And it will drive up the cost for consumers."

By going to an out-of-network dentist, the benefit levels may differ, but by no more than 10 percent, the bill said. And the out-of-network dentist may bill the patient for the balance of any charges that are not reimbursed by the health carrier.

The chamber said if the bill becomes law, it would take down every dental network in Arkansas.

The chamber said the bill could be considered as early as this week.

Eight bills regarding workers' compensation, if approved, would drive up the cost of workers' comp premiums, the chamber said.

One bill would set attorneys fees in successful workers' comp cases at 25 percent of the award, with the fee paid by the employer or carrier. Another bill would change the level of evidence of occupational disease from clear and convincing to a preponderance. Yet another would delete the requirement that a compensable injury for purposes of workers' compensation claims must be an accidental injury caused by a specific incident.

"We are opposed to all of them," said Hall.

He said the bills will erode the gains made in 1993, when Act 796 was passed. Workers' comp premiums in Arkansas have been reduced an average of 35 percent since the passage of the Workers' Compensation Reform Act.