Here are seven states that have approved legislation to improve Medicaid dental benefits, according to a July 3 news release from the American Dental Association.
Colorado
- The state’s budget allocated $78 million for its Medicaid program, including increasing reimbursement rates for dental Medicaid providers.
Georgia
- Gov. Brian Kemp approved an increase of $11 million to the state’s adult dental benefit for individuals enrolled in Medicaid.
Missouri
- More than 100 new providers are participating in Medicaid in 2024 after the state increased its reimbursement rates.
- The state’s fiscal 2025 budget also includes $2.4 million for additional dental anesthesia and extraction codes.
Nebraska
- The state increased the reimbursement rate for dental services provided under Medicaid by 12.5% for fiscal 2025.
- Nebraska also removed a $750 annual cap on dental services for adults enrolled in Medicaid.
Ohio
- Ohio’s fiscal 2024 budget included an investment to increase dental Medicaid reimbursements, leading to dental reimbursements increasing 93% on average per procedure.
Rhode Island
- The state passed a law adjusting the Medicaid reimbursement rate for dental procedures performed in ASCs. The law adds a dental rehabilitation code allowing ASCs to bill for facility costs incurred by making their centers available for dental care.
West Virginia
- West Virginia passed a law doubling the term of the state’s Medicaid dental coverage annual benefit limit from one year to two years. The change created a dental benefit of $2,000 over a two-year term instead of a $1,000 benefit over a one-year term, allowing coverage for services that might exceed $1,000.
