From medical loss ratio moves to increased dental care for adults on Medicaid, here are nine dental payer updates Becker's has reported on since May 22:
1. Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker signed into law two dental payer reform bills that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2024.
2. Albuquerque, N.M.-based Maven Dentistry added its own dental plan to help patients afford care.
3. Aetna Dental was ranked as the top dental plan provider for customer satisfaction, according to the "J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Dental Plan Satisfaction Study."
4. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo signed into law June 1 a medical loss ratio that requires dental payers to spend at least 75 percent of premium revenue on dental care.
5. Consumer rights law firm Hagens Berman launched an investigation into Managed Care of North America Dental after a data breach affecting nearly 9 million patients.
6. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed the 2023 Health and Human Service omnibus bill, which expands dental care for adults on Medicaid.
7. The Vermont legislature is expected to address stagnant Medicaid reimbursements for dental services in July 2024.
8. The Rhode Island Senate proposed a bill that would establish a medical loss ratio for dental plans in the state.
9. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updated its strategic plan to include an oral health initiative.