ADA supports PARTNERS Act aimed at strengthening oversight of Medicare Advantage dental benefits 

The ADA expressed support for federal legislation intended to strengthen oversight and enforcement of Medicare Advantage supplemental dental benefits. 

In a May 26 letter to the bill's sponsor Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont., the ADA endorsed the Protecting Authority and Restoring Tools Necessary for Enforcement by Regulatory States Act of 2026, or PARTNERS Act. 

“The PARTNERS Act of 2026 would address a critical enforcement gap in Medicare Advantage supplemental dental benefits by empowering states to enforce the federal standards that CMS has not enforced,” reads the letter, signed by ADA President Richard Rosato, D.M.D., and Executive Director Nader Nadershahi, D.D.S., Ed.D.  

According to Drs. Rosato and Nadershahi, more than 90% of Medicare Advantage plans currently offer supplemental dental benefits. They noted that these benefits can provide significant value to beneficiaries when they are administered appropriately, but added that enforcement and oversight challenges remain. 

The letter cited existing federal regulations requiring Medicare Advantage organizations to maintain adequate provider networks, comply with medical loss ratio requirements, communicate plan terms clearly and follow beneficiary protection standards. Drs. Rosato and Nadershahi said some plan sponsors and contracted dental benefit administrators have failed to meet those obligations. 

They referenced a recent instance reported to CMS involving delayed reimbursements to dentists in Texas. According to the letter, a dental benefit administrator for a Medicare Advantage plan sponsor delayed between $600,000 and $750,000 in reimbursements to dentists over many months. 

Drs. Rosato and Nadershahi said the PARTNERS Act would establish “a parallel enforcement pathway” enabling state regulators to investigate network adequacy concerns, contracting issues and medical loss ratio compliance while coordinating with CMS. 

“This reform is particularly important given the rapid growth and complexity of supplemental dental benefits in Medicare Advantage over the last five years,” the letter said. 

The letter also noted that the legislation would help ensure that Medicare Advantage dental benefits are accessible to patients and deliver meaningful care rather than being merely advertised benefits.  

“We again appreciate your efforts in improving Medicare Advantage dental supplemental benefits through this legislation. We look forward to working with you to help improve dental benefits in Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and in the commercial insurance marketplaces,” the letter concluded.