Adult Medicaid patients in Delaware will automatically receive dental coverage as part of their health insurance plans beginning Oct. 1, according to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.
Medicaid patients ages 19 to 65 will now receive dental coverage through their plans and can access a list of providers from their managed-care organization. The benefits will cover services such as cleaning, fillings, exams, tooth extraction and sedation.
Each adult Medicaid patient will receive up to $1,000 of dental care annually, and they may qualify for an additional $1,500 per year in the case of an emergency.
"We know that low-income adults suffer disproportionately from dental disease and that poor oral health can increase risks for people with conditions like diabetes and heart disease,” DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik said in a Sept. 29 news release. "This new benefit will go a long way toward improving the overall health of Medicaid recipients in Delaware."
In August 2019, Gov. John Carney signed legislation giving adult Medicaid patients dental benefits. It was slated to take effect in April, but the implementation was pushed back due to the pandemic.
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