The Organized Dentistry Coalition is urging the Senate to pass the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act, a legislation requiring insurers to cover dental and oral procedures to treat birth defects.
The legislation passed in the House of Representatives April 4.
The coalition sent a letter Oct. 7 to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions asking lawmakers to include the bill in any legislative package it takes on before the end of 2022, the American Dental Association reported Oct. 11.
Three things to know about the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act:
1. The act would ensure all health plans cover medically necessary services from birth defects.
2. Services covered under the act must restore or repair normal bodily functions. That can include adjunctive dental, orthodontic and prosthodontic support.
3. The act excludes cosmetic procedures or surgery.