Joint Trades Session
Wednesday, September 17
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM (PT)
The Joint Trades presentation highlights key policy and legislative trends shaping the dental benefits landscape, with a focus on continuing issues from 2024 and emerging priorities for 2026. Major themes include sustained but growing interest in Dental Loss Ratio (DLR) legislation, expanded interest in regulating virtual credit cards, and broadening definitions of prior authorization. The presentation also reviews case studies such as Washington’s SB 5351, explores growing momentum around payment parity and claims recoupment, and examines the evolving political environment as more states shift to single-party control. Looking ahead, the National Council of Insurance Legislators’ work on renewed and new models is expected to play a significant role in shaping industry regulation in the coming years.
Bianca Balale
Director of Government Relations
National Association of Dental Plans
Bianca joined NADP in 2023, bringing 10 years of experience working in government and healthcare. Prior to joining NADP, she served as the Director of Quality and Compliance at a non-profit behavioral health facility focused on integrated care and as a congressional staff member in the state of Ohio. Bianca earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Youngstown State University and a Master of Public Health from Kent State University with a focus in Public Policy and Management.
Owen Urech
Senior Policy Advisor
America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)
Owen joined AHIP in 2024 as Senior Policy Advisor for Product Policy; his portfolio includes dental coverage and supplemental benefits across government programs and the commercial market. Prior to AHIP, Owen served as the Director of Government Relations for the National Association of Dental Plans and developed health policy research at the Roosevelt Institute and Health Management Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from American University, a Master of Public Policy from the University of Texas at Dallas, and is a Master of Theology candidate at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Rikki Pelta
Assistant Vice President and Associate General Counsel
American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI)
Rikki Pelta is assistant vice president and associate general counsel at the American Council of Life Insurers. She is responsible for industry advocacy and policy development at both the state and federal levels, with a focus on life and dental insurance. She provides strategic guidance on compliance, product filing and voluntary benefits areas that support ACLI’s mission to help consumers achieve financial security. Pelta joined ACLI in 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Franklin & Marshall College and a Juris Doctor from American University’s Washington College of Law.
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