(a) The board shall contract with a sufficient number of dental and vision plans to assure that dental and vision benefits are available to all subscribers. The board shall develop and make available objective criteria for dental and vision plan selection and provide adequate notice of the application process to permit all dental and vision plans a reasonable and fair opportunity to participate. The criteria and application process shall allow participating dental and vision plans to comply with their state and federal licensing and regulatory obligations, except as otherwise provided in this part. Dental and vision plan selection shall be based on the criteria developed by the board.
(b) Participating dental plans shall be required to submit to the board on an annual basis a report summarizing their provider network. The report shall provide, as available, information on the provider network as it relates to each of the following:
(1) Geographic access for the subscribers.
(2) Linguistic services.
(3) The ethnic composition of providers.
(c) The board shall establish reasonable limits on dental plan administrative costs.
(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 285, Sec. 1. Effective August 13, 1998.)