Here are 22 updates on dental Medicare and Medicaid that Becker's reported on in 2023:
1. Two Ohio legislators introduced a bill that would prevent dental patients from being denied Medicaid coverage solely because of their age.
2. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives advanced a bill that would restore dental coverage under the state's Medicaid program.
3. More than 93% of Medicare Advantage plans in 2024 will offer dental benefits.
4. CMS finalized its physician fee schedule, which has several impacts on dentists.
5. Mutual of Omaha and Wellcare formed a strategic alliance to offer Medicare Advantage plans for 2024.
6. HealthPartners unveiled its 2024 Medicare Advantage plans, including its options for dental coverage.
7. Humana and USAA expanded their co-branded Medicare plans for 2024, including dental coverage.
8. At least 8,696,000 people were disenrolled from Medicaid as of Oct. 11.
9. Humana released its 2024 Medicare Advantage plans, 100% of which include dental coverage.
10. A healthcare coalition filed a ballot measure for the November 2024 election that would permanently expand funding for California’s Medi-Cal program.
11. Nebraska legislators worked to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates for dentists again after a slight raise this year.
12. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed the 2023 Health and Human Service omnibus bill, which expands dental care for adults on Medicaid.
13. The Vermont legislature is expected to address stagnant Medicaid reimbursements for dental services in July 2024.
14. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updated its strategic plan to include an oral health initiative.
15. Medicaid dental coverage for adults in New York was expanded after a legal settlement.
16. Rep. Mike Simpson, DMD, R-Idaho, introduced legislation that would reduce administrative barriers for dentists who participate in Medicaid.
17. A coalition of more than 150 oral health and advocacy groups wrote letters to U.S. House and Senate leaders urging them to support the Medicaid Dental Benefit Act, which would make comprehensive dental care a mandatory part of adult Medicaid coverage in every state.
18. The North Dakota Senate passed a bill to expand dental services under Medicaid.
19. The Kentucky legislature voted to override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a bill that would halt dental, vision and hearing benefits for adult Medicaid recipients.
20. Dental coverage for adults on Medicaid in New Hampshire was expanded through the New Hampshire Smiles Adult Program.
21. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., introduced a bill that would provide Medicare beneficiaries additional coverage for medically necessary dental services.
22. All adults on Tennessee's Medicaid program, TennCare, were made eligible for dental benefits in 2023.