A Florida House proposal that would make changes to the state's managed care system is concerning dentists, who are worried about the accessibility of care for patients, according to a Feb. 7 article from News Service of Florida.
Five things to know:
1. HB 7047 was approved Feb. 7 by the state's House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee.
2. The bill, which involves changes to how the state contracts managed care plans, would roll the state's dental services into the rest of its managed care programs. This would undo a 2016 decision to create a separate dental care program for Medicaid enrollees.
3. Joe Ann Hart, chief legislative officer for the Florida Dental Association, told the House subcommittee the bill would create administrative barriers that could make dentists less likely to participate in the Medicaid program.
4. Rep. Sam Garrison, who sponsors the bill, said he is concerned with providing the most comprehensive care for patients at the lowest cost, adding, "I don't see whether you have a carved-out dental plan or an integrated dental plan as being the issue that's going to be dispositive about whether or not dentists and their practices are going to participate in Medicaid."
5. The bill now needs to clear the House Health & Human Services Committee before it can go to the full House.