Nebraska is struggling to increase the number of dentists participating in its Medicaid program despite increasing reimbursement rates, Nebraska Public Media reported April 2.
Five notes:
1. Fewer than half of the state’s dentists accept Medicaid patients.
2. Medicaid’s reimbursement rates are roughly 15% below those of private insurers.
3. The state increased reimbursement rates by 12.5% last year, which led to 96 more dentists joining the program.
4.The increase also led to the number of emergency room visits for dental care decreasing by an average of 46 patients statewide.
5. More than 80% of dentists in the state indicated in a 2024 survey conducted by the American Dental Association that reimbursement rates are the top factor keeping them from not taking on more Medicaid patients.