Lawmakers in North Carolina are pushing to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for dentists, according to a Feb. 28 report from NC Health News.
The state reimbursement rate for dental patients on Medicaid is 34 cents on the dollar, the same rate set in 2008.
House Bill 60 would increase the reimbursement rate from 35% of the average dental charges in 2023 to 46%.
If passed, the bill would cost the state $52 million in recurring funds. During the Biden administration, North Carolina and the federal government agreed to a Medicaid expansion with the federal government providing $95 million.
Since North Carolina expanded its Medicaid program Dec. 1, 2023, more than 620,000 additional adults have been enrolled.
Currently, nearly 60% of dentists in North Carolina do not accept Medicaid patients. By increasing reimbursement rates, the hope is that more oral health providers would join the program, the report said.