West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill that expands the state's Medicaid dental coverage cap, according to a March 26 report by West Virginia Watch.
House Bill 4993 doubles the cap from $1,000 to $2,000 over two years, which is meant to allow individuals to get both sets of dentures at the same appointment. Due to the current cap of $1,000, Medicaid recipients are usually not able to get both sets at the same time, which cost approximately $600 each.
The state's Medicaid program covers diagnostic, preventive and restorative dental services.
"The new law enables dentists to provide more care to Medicaid patients in fewer office visits," said Hallie Mason, executive director of the West Virginia Dental Association. "It will not increase the cost of the care, so it is a win for Medicaid patients and taxpayers."
The bill goes into effect July 1, the report said.