§ 56-30-101. Short Title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Dental Service Plan Law, 1961.”
§ 56-30-102. Chapter Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: “Beneficiary” means a person designated in the subscription certificate referred to in subdivision (10), as entitled to the dental services referred to in subdivision (10); “Commissioner” means the commissioner of commerce and insurance; “Covered dependent” is the spouse, an adult dependent or child of a […]
§ 56-30-103. Nonprofit Dental Service Corporation — Creation
Five (5) or more dentists duly licensed to practice under the laws of this state, who give advance written notice by registered or certified mail to the Tennessee Dental Association of their intent to organize a nonprofit dental service corporation, may associate themselves by written articles of association for the incorporation of a nonprofit dental […]
§ 56-30-104. Articles of Incorporation — Approval by Commissioner
The articles of incorporation of the nonprofit dental service corporation or amendments to the articles shall be submitted to the commissioner, and shall be subject to the commissioner’s approval, which shall be endorsed on the articles or amendments before they are filed with the secretary of state.
§ 56-30-105. Board of Directors
A dental service plan corporation shall consist of a board of directors of such number, grouped in reasonable classes, as the bylaws of the corporation, as approved by the commissioner, shall provide.
§ 56-30-106. Subscribers — Rates
Each nonprofit dental service corporation may contract with its subscribers for dental services as may be from time to time provided under any nonprofit dental service plan adopted by the corporation. The rates charged by the nonprofit dental service corporation to its subscribers shall be consistent with the proper conduct of its business and the […]
§ 56-30-107. Right to Establish or Operate Plan
It is unlawful for any person except a dental service plan corporation, incorporated in accordance with this chapter, and operating in accordance with authority from the commissioner, or a nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 27, 28 or 29 of this title, or an insurance company properly qualified in this state to write accident, health or […]
§ 56-30-108. Right to Become Participating Dentists — Method of Diagnosis and Treatment Unrestricted — Private Dentist-Patient Relationship
Every dentist licensed to practice in this state under title 63, chapter 5, has the right to become a participating dentist in the dental service plan corporation operating in the county in which the dentist resides or practices. A dental service plan corporation shall impose no restrictions on the dentists who treat its subscribers as […]
§ 56-30-109. Agreements With Participating Dentists
A dental service plan corporation may enter into agreements with dentists qualified as set out in this chapter, under the terms of which the dentists may become participating dentists in a plan operated by the corporation, and may make payments to the dentists as shall have accrued to them by reason of services performed by […]
§ 56-30-110. Contracts Approved by Commissioner
No corporation subject to this chapter may issue contracts until the commissioner has formally authorized the contracts to be issued.
§ 56-30-111. Applications for Licenses — Accompanying Documents — Filing Fee
Applications for the licenses shall be made on forms approved by the commissioner, containing information the commissioner deems necessary. Every application for a license shall be accompanied by copies of the following documents: A certified copy of its charter or certificate of incorporation; or A copy of its bylaws certified by the secretary and the […]
§ 56-30-112. Issuance of License — Prerequisites
The commissioner shall issue a license upon compliance with this chapter, and other proper requirements of the commissioner, and upon being satisfied that: All items required to be filed are in proper form, as required by this chapter, and meet the approval of the commissioner; The applicant is established as a bona fide dental service […]
§ 56-30-113. Investment of Funds
The funds of the dental service corporations subject to this chapter shall be invested only in securities permitted by the laws of this state for the investment of assets of life insurance companies.
§ 56-30-114. Limitation of Expenses
All acquisition and administrative expenses incurred in connection with the dental service corporation shall at all times be limited to a percentage of its total net premiums as set and approved by the commissioner.
§ 56-30-115. Purchase of Liability Insurance Authorized
A dental service plan corporation is authorized to purchase a contract of insurance protecting the corporation or any officer or employee of the corporation, or any dentist from liability for injuries resulting from negligence, misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance or health care liability on the part of any officer or employee of the corporation, or on the […]
§ 56-30-116. Financial and Statistical Records
Every dental service plan corporation shall maintain adequate financial and statistical records in reasonable uniformity with accounting plans and statistical requirements of the annual statement blank required by the commissioner.
§ 56-30-117. Annual Statement — Form — Filing Fee
The dental service plan corporation shall annually, on or before March 1, file in the office of the department a statement of its operations for the calendar year, showing financial condition as of December 31 then next preceding, in such form and content as the commissioner prescribes, signed and sworn to by its president and […]
§ 56-30-118. Examination — Rehabilitation or Liquidation
The commissioner has the same authority to examine the dental service plan corporations as is granted to the commissioner for the examination of life and accident and health insurance companies, and has the same authority for the correction, rehabilitation or liquidation of the dental service plan corporations as is now provided by law for life […]
§ 56-30-119. Fees and Taxes
Every dental service plan corporation or its agents, subject to this chapter, shall be subject to the fees and taxes as prescribed for life and health and accident insurance companies and agents of the companies doing business in this state. It is not the purpose of this chapter to discriminate in favor of dental service […]
§ 56-30-120. License Renewal — Agents’ Certificate of Authority
All licenses authorizing dental service plan corporations to transact business in this state shall be renewable on April 1 of each year, subject to the approval of the commissioner. Any dental service plan corporation licensed to do business in this state under this chapter shall obtain from the commissioner a certificate of authority for every […]