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Texas Senate Bill 527: Dental Anesthesia for Kids

Nov. 19, 2025

(Applies to Individual & Family Markets; Student Health plans; Fully insured group plans, including small group, mid-market, large group, National Accounts, municipality/county/schools, PPO, HMO, POS; Blue Balance FundedSM; ERS; TRS; UT/TAMU*)

Texas Senate Bill 527 requires general anesthesia coverage for dental procedures for children under the age of 13 who can’t otherwise receive the procedure.

What you need to know:
Under SB 527, a health plan that covers general anesthesia must cover medically necessary general anesthesia services for dental services if:

  • The member is younger than 13.
  • The member can’t undergo the dental services without general anesthesia due to a documented physical, mental or medical reason.
  • The anesthesia is performed by a qualified anesthesia service provider.

What’s the impact to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas plans?
General anesthesia for dental procedures will be covered for children under 13, if the claim is submitted under the medical plan by a dental provider. The anesthesia will be covered whether the underlying dental procedure itself is covered.

When does SB 527 go into effect?

  • Upon renewal on or after Jan. 1, 2026

*This article, or a similar version, is being shared with employer groups in the BlueVISIONSM newsletter or news alert.