While several states have recently increased reimbursements for dental services in the last few years, reimbursements still pose a major challenge for dental practices across the U.S.
Here are five updates recently covered by Becker's that dive into the challenges dentists face with reimbursements:
1. Low reimbursements and workforce shortages are preventing more dentists in Wisconsin from treating Medicaid patients. Wisconsin Dental Association President Chris Hansen, DDS, told Wisconsin Public Radio that although the rate increases were a good start, they are still not enough, saying that many dentists are forced to "take a loss" in order to treat patients with public insurance.
2. Kaitlin Emrich, director of Black Hawk County Public Health, told Iowa Starting Line that she has heard from dentists and practices in the state that reimbursements for dental services do not cover the costs of care. The Iowa Dental Association described increasing reimbursement rates for dentists as a top legislative priority, and has previously advocated for increased rates.
3. Largely due to staffing shortages, high inflation rates and stagnant reimbursement rates, dental practices throughout Texas, including many in rural areas, are being forced to close. Medicare fee reimbursement for dental care in Texas has not been increased in over 15 years, and has actually seen a 2% reduction since 2007.
4. Dentists in Rhode Island are dealing with low payer reimbursements, which has led to fewer dentists practicing in the state. Reimbursement and other administrative issues have also led some dentists to stop accepting Medicare. Sarah Eager, president of the Rhode Island chapter of the Academy of General Dentistry, told The Providence Journal that the majority of oral surgeons in the state have dropped Medicare because of excessive paperwork, approval issues and low reimbursements.
5. The Illinois State Dental Society said its legislative agenda for 2024 is centered around dental insurance reform, the Dental Practice Act and the Illinois Medicaid Program, including raising reimbursement rates for deep sedation dentistry and anesthesia to improve access to care.