SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes’ latest initiative would give smaller dental practices more time to transition to electronic payments.

“Patients and administrators want dental practices to modernize for efficiency, but if we set a deadline to go fully digital too soon, it will only cause them more frustration and inconvenience,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This measure will extend the deadline to 2027 so smaller practices will have more time to develop their electronic portals and better serve their patients once the deadline comes.”

Previous legislation requires dental providers and insurance companies to begin sharing all information electronically by 2026. While this measure intends to help modernize these practices and make patient payments more efficient, many dental care providers throughout the state have requested more time to make the necessary technological advancements.

House Bill 1864 would extend the deadline to make electronic payments the standard for dental care by 2027. This extension gives smaller practices more time to complete a smooth transition, and to ensure all dental care providers can provide correct and accurate information on their online platforms.

“It can be difficult for a smaller practice to transition to fully electronic systems of billing and documentation, especially on a deadline,” said Cervantes. “We have heard from providers who are worried about missing the deadline, and believe an extension will ease their worries and reservations about the plan to modernize dental care throughout the state.”

House Bill 1864 passed the Senate on Wednesday.