The National Council on Disability recently sent a report to President Joe Biden that details the costs and benefits of establishing basic Medicaid dental coverage for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Four notes:
1. The March 9 report is titled "Medicaid Oral Health Coverage for Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities – A Fiscal Analysis." It considers the cost effectiveness of requiring all state Medicaid agencies to implement reimbursement and payment policies that promote access to dental care for adults with such disabilities. There are currently 12 states that do not provide basic dental coverage under Medicaid.
2. The report provides insight into the organization's research and recommendations on how to improve oral health outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
3. More than 250,000 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are recipients of Medicaid in states with either emergency-only coverage or no dental coverage. Of those living in states with extensive benefits, about two-thirds still do not receive basic dental care.
4. The organization estimated that federal and state governments would see a combined return on investment of about $7.7 million annually. The 12 states that do not offer basic dental coverage would see a return on investment of nearly $3 million annually.