All 50 states and Washington, D.C., will offer dental coverage for Medicaid enrollees who are pregnant and postpartum through at least 60 days after pregnancy starting Oct. 1, CMS reported in a Sept. 22 news release.
"Medicaid is a primary payer of maternity care in the U.S., covering nearly half of all births nationwide," American Dental Association President Cesar Sabates, DDS, said in a Sept. 23 news release. "The ADA applauds the CMS decision to prioritize oral health in pregnant and postpartum patients."
This decision comes on the heels of CMS proposing to pay for more dental services as part of its proposed Calendar Year 2023 Physician Fee Schedule.