Over the past few months, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has made various changes to its Medicaid dental policy. On April 1, MDHHS continued to expand its covered dental services by adding deep tooth cleanings, sealants, root canals, crowns, and gum health care as Medicaid benefits. I was.
this comes after Increased number of departments Increase provider reimbursement rates to average commercial rates, expand dental sealant coverage for individuals under the age of 21, and provide new redemption method For dental services on January 1st. MDHHS said he submitted a redesign proposal to Congress in October and began the implementation process in December after Congress approved the redesign.
Many of these changes have resulted from stakeholder input. Healthy Michigan Plan and Prenatal Dental Programand MDHHS Report for November 2022 Be aware that there are disparities in access to dental care in Michigan. But his Vincent Benivegna, president of the Michigan Dental Association (MDA), told State of Reform that this has been in the works for years.
He said the effort began about a year and a half ago when he testified before the Michigan House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. asked to allocate funds to assist.
Beniveña has called for more funding to help Medicaid patients as it has become increasingly difficult to get them to hospitals and dental offices as facilities lose money based on Michigan’s Medicaid reimbursement rates. I got
“Hospitals were only getting $200 per patient per facility, and the same amount for anesthesia,” says Benivegna. “The hospital told us, [normally] It costs $2000 per patient in facility fees, and your anesthesiologist will tell you the same. So, [the hospitals] They will tell us they are losing money taking our patients. ”
These Medicaid dental reimbursement rates haven’t increased in about 30 years, Benivegna said.
“Dentists were losing money seeing Medicaid patients,” Benibeña said. “That’s why there were so few dentists in Michigan that had Medicaid. They couldn’t afford it. could not be a major or substantial part of
MDHHS plans to invest $85.1 million to increase reimbursement rates and $30 million in redesigned benefits to ensure recipients don’t lose service. According to the agency, the funds will be allocated to the 23rd fiscal year’s budget, with federal Medicaid dollars plus the state match amount required to secure those funds (approximately 65% of federal funds and 35% of state general funds). ) represents a blend of
About 2 million adults on Medicaid in Michigan could benefit from this change, according to MDHHS. The number of Medicaid dental patients is also expected to decline over the next year as Medicaid rededication takes place.
“This positive change recognizes the strong correlation between oral and physical health outcomes,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hartel in a statement. “Better services and closer coordination of care will enable Michigan residents to receive care anywhere, anytime, while expanding the number of providers while maximizing opportunities for healthy outcomes for beneficiaries of all ages.” can.”
MDHHS expects this change to be beneficial as it has received positive feedback from recent technical assistance offerings to providers interested in becoming Medicaid providers.
“I am very happy that this has happened,” said Beniveña. “This is a huge benefit to the oral health of Michigan residents. Twenty-five percent are on her Medicaid, which is a huge number of residents. [policy] affects. Anything that improves the oral health of our population is great.
MDHHS said it is working with the MDA, Michigan Oral Health Coalition, and Medicaid health plans to ensure widespread awareness of these changes. Benibeña said he made sure his organization was doing its part.
“We are currently holding a webinar to keep our members up-to-date on changes in healthcare,” said Beniveña. You can have a booth at the next session and help people sign up, which will be published in journals, e-news, and all communications.In addition, as president, I will make a component of I visit and give talks and updates, and one of the things I keep people up to is what’s new on Medicaid.”
