Sacramento (Calif.) dentists and other advocates are trying to change or get rid of the state's dental program due to low provider reimbursement rates as well as a gap in treatment for children from low-income families, according to The Sacramento Bee.
Here are six takeaways:
1. Sacramento is one of two counties in California that offers managed dental care, and it is the sole county where managed dental care is required for Medi-Cal families.
2. A mere 40 percent of families enrolled in Medi-Cal receive managed care services despite being eligible, according to a Sacramento Geographic Managed Care program report.
3. Based on the report, the California Dental Association is imploring the state to get rid of the program. CDA President Ken Wallis, DDS, said, "Pilot programs are meant to be short-term opportunities to show if there's a better way to accomplish something. After 20 unsuccessful years, we're convinced that this pilot has run its course."
4. In 1994, the state implemented the program in Sacramento to decrease spending. Since its inception, Sacramento dentists and advocates have criticized the program because many providers do not accept the low reimbursement for management care.
5. The Chief of Medi-Cal Dental Services, Alani Jackson, said the department does not plan to end the management care program, nor does it plan to make it optional.
6. Ms. Jackson believes the solution lies in the 1115 Medicaid Waiver, a $750 million federal and state grant that allots a portion of the funding to local programs to enhance access to dental care.
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