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Oral health procedures to be covered by adult dental Medicaid starting in January

Date: December 13, 2013
Author: Dawn Jacobs
Categories: Adult Dental, Emergent Care, Medicaid

State health officials have released additional information concerning dental procedures that will be covered for Medicaid-eligible adults in Washington state, starting on Jan. 1, 2014.

An update on those procedures was recently shared at November meeting of the Washington Coalition on Medicaid Outreach by Dianne Baum, dental program manager for the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA). The covered procedures include exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride varnish, fillings, periodontal care, root canals, dentures, extractions, and emergency services. Crowns will not be covered.

See the presentation for more details and the HCA’s news release from Oct. 10, 2013.

Starting in January, the Washington Medicaid Program will resume covering dental services for all adults with Medicaid. This includes residents who already have Medicaid and people who are eligible for “expanded Medicaid,” made possible by federal health care reform.

State announces details on adult dental Medicaid benefit restoration

Date: October 14, 2013
Author: Dawn Jacobs
Categories: Adult Dental, Health Care Authority, Medicaid

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) has announced the types of dental procedures that will be provided with the restoration of the adult dental Medicaid benefit by the Washington State Legislature during the last legislative session. The benefit will be restored on Jan. 1, 2014.

The benefit previously had been reduced to emergency-0nly coverage as a result of budget cuts implemented by lawmakers in response to declining state revenues.

According to the HCA, the new benefit covers restorative and preventative services, resin partials and complete dentures, root canals, cavities, and routine checkups and cleanings, as well as emergency services.

The HCA reported the Medicaid program would begin notifying dentists this month that the benefit would be restored on the first day of the new year, and that offices and clinics could start making appointments with Medicaid clients after that date.

A copy of the HCA news release can be found on the agency’s web site.