State health officials expand dental benefits for Medicaid beneficiaries

CBS News Detroit Digital Brief for April 3, 2023


CBS Information Detroit Electronic Short for April 3, 2023

03:18

(CBS DETROIT) – The Michigan Office of Well being and Human Services expanded dental benefits for Medicaid beneficiaries and greater costs for dental vendors to aid improve dental solutions for Michiganders. 

This alter will aid increase accessibility to providers for recipients and began on April 1.

According to MDHHS, as a result of this transform, there will not be any decline of expert services for everyone, and a lot of persons will see new services extra. 

“This constructive modify recognizes the strong correlation between oral and bodily well being results,” reported Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “With far better solutions and nearer treatment coordination, we can improve opportunities to generate healthier results for beneficiaries of all ages even though also growing the quantity of suppliers so Michigan’s residents can get treatment in which and when they need to have it.”  

For recipients 21 decades and older, the MDHHS claims the subsequent expert services will now be protected:

  • X-rays
  • Tooth cleanings
  • Fillings
  • Extractions
  • Dentures
  • Deep tooth cleanings (New)
  • Sealants (New)
  • Root canals (New)
  • Crowns (New)
  • Treatment to continue to keep your gums wholesome (New) 

The $85.1 million expenditure in greater reimbursement and $30 million in redesigned rewards displays enter from stakeholders and details from the Balanced Michigan Plan and Pregnant Women of all ages dental plans. 

Amplified reimbursement charges for Medicaid dental companies were implemented on Jan. 1, and vendors are now paid at 100{fc1509ea675b3874d16a3203a98b9a1bd8da61315181db431b4a7ea1394b614e} of the Average Industrial Price. This offers companies an incentive to take care of Medicaid recipients.

“The reimbursement prices for companies have been quite low beneath the previous adult dental Medicaid method,” reported Dr. Vince Benivegna, President of the Michigan Dental Association. “Dentists would reduce revenue by dealing with adult dental Medicaid individuals. As compact business house owners, this was not sustainable. The new rates figure out the benefit of high-quality treatment and will permit much more dental overall health companies to handle Medicaid people.”

Medicaid beneficiaries not enrolled in a health program will get dental expert services by the Medicaid FFS program. 

Anyone with concerns can get in touch with the Beneficiary Help Line for no cost at 800-642-3195 (TTY: 866-501-5656) or email [email protected].

Vendors with concerns can call 800-292-2550 or email [email protected].