Covered California, the state's insurance marketplace, will decrease its rates for dental coverage by 1 percent in 2022.
The decision comes as dentists in the state see an increase in patients seeking care for stress-related oral health issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an Aug. 26 Sierra Sun Times article.
There are 230,404 people enrolled in Covered California dental plans, a 15 percent increase from last year. Residents are already offered pediatric dental coverage when they enroll in Covered California, but additional coverage can be purchased as an add-on.
Covered California opened a special enrollment period ending Aug. 31 for people who are uninsured and those already enrolled in a health insurance carrier, so residents do not have to wait until the traditional open enrollment period in November.