State legislators and dental organizations are pushing for increased dental coverage and workforce support for Medicaid programs.
Here are five updates to know:
1. A bill proposed in the Florida Senate would expand dental services for Medicaid recipients and raise reimbursement rates for dentists.
2. Lawmakers in North Carolina are pushing to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates from 35% of the average dental charges in 2023 to 46%.
3. Connecticut lawmakers are considering increasing the state’s Medicaid budget after learning that the state is behind others in reimbursement rates.
4. Alabama dentists have asked legislators to provide emergency funding as they lose money on Medicaid services.
5. The North Dakota Legislature is considering a bill that would fund a study examining dental healthcare under Medicaid and look at ways to recruit providers. It’s also considering another bill to add dental coverage to the state’s Medicaid Expansion program.