HB 4891

Abstract

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist shall provide the patient with a written treatment plan that includes a description of each anticipated service to be provided and a good faith estimate of expected charges before arranging for, offering, brokering, or establishing open-end credit, a line of credit, or a loan extended by a third party. Provides a form that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist must provide before arranging for, offering, brokering, or establishing open-end credit, a line of credit, or a loan extended by a third party. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist may not complete any portion of an application for open-end credit, a line of credit, or a loan extended by a third party. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist may not arrange for, offer, broker, or establish open-end credit, a line of credit, or a loan extended by a third party that contains a deferred interest provision. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist may not arrange for, offer, broker, or establish open-end credit, a line of credit, or a loan extended by a third party if (i) the treatment has yet to be rendered or costs associated with the treatment have yet to be incurred; (ii) the dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist has not provided the patient with a treatment plan, and informed the patient in writing about which costs associated with the treatment are being charged in advance; and (iii) that dentist's office arranged for, offered, brokered, or established the open-end credit, line of credit, or loan extended by a third party. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist shall, within 15 days business days of a patient's request or within 15 business days of the dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist becoming aware of treatment that has not been rendered or costs that have not been incurred, whichever occurs first, refund to the lender any payment received through open-end credit, a line of credit, or a loan extended by a third party that is arranged for, offered, brokered, or established in that dentist's office. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may adopt rules to implement these provisions. Effective January 1, 2025. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist may not arrange for, broker, or establish financing extended by a third party for a patient. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist may not complete for a patient or patient's guardian any portion of an application for financing extended by a third party. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist may not provide the patient or patient's guardian with an electronic device to apply for financing extended by a third party. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist may not promote, advertise, or provide marketing or application materials for financing extended by a third party to a patient who (1) has been administered or is under the influence of general anesthesia, conscious sedation, moderate sedation, nitrous oxide; (2) is being administered treatment; or (3) is in a treatment area, including, but not limited to, an exam room, surgical room, or other area when medical treatment is administered, unless an area separated from the treatment area does not exist. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist must provide a specific written notice to a patient or patient's guardian when discussing or providing applications for financing extended by a third party. Provides that a violation of the provisions is punishable by a fine of up to $500 for the first violation and a fine of up to $1,000 for each subsequent violation. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may take other disciplinary action if the licensee's conduct also violates other provisions of the Act. Defines terms. Effective January 1, 2025.