A handful of states have recently implemented changes to their Medicaid dental programs, including expanding Medicaid programs and increasing dental benefit limits.
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.