Clinic closure highlights dental care challenges in Medicaid

Billy Tarpley on June 27, 2023

Reprinted from ADA Morning Huddle, June 26, 2023:

The closure of a dental clinic in Albany, N.Y., that serves people with Medicaid places additional pressure on federally qualified health centers that provide dental care for people with low incomes and those who are uninsured. A recent settlement to expand dental services under the state’s Medicaid program won’t help people get the dental care they need without enough providers. People who are unable to access dental care are more likely have worse health problems, which can place a burden on emergency departments, says James Galati, D.D.S., former president of the New York State Dental Association.

Full Story: Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) (tiered subscription model) (6/23

ADA clarifies “good faith estimates” in No Surprises Act

Billy Tarpley on April 6, 2023

A new bill expected to pass Congress today references the No Surprises Act, which requires medical providers to provide “a good faith estimate of expected charges” before treating uninsured and underinsured patients. The act, which went into effect on January 1, 2022, curbs unexpected billing and provide consumers new financial protections when undergoing both emergency and non-emergency care.

On February 22, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid clarified how this new law affects dentistry and how your practice should bill and provide patient estimates going forward.

For more information on best practices, estimates, and exceptions to the good faith estimate rule, please visit the ADA and CMS websites.

MATE Act in spending bill includes changes sought by ADA

Billy Tarpley on April 6, 2023

The omnibus spending bill approved by Congress at the end of 2022 includes the Medication Access and Training Expansion Act, which requires dentists and other providers who prescribe controlled substances (Schedules II-V) to have eight hours of training before obtaining or renewing a Drug Enforcement Administration registration. ADA advocacy was successful in getting Congress to change some MATE Act provisions to align with Association policy, including the removal of a requirement that dentists take three hours of specialized training to prescribe buprenorphine, which is beyond the scope of dental practice.

Download a printable FAQ here.

(Reprinted from ADA Morning Huddle)

Full Story: ADA News

Medicaid Fee Increase and Negotiations

Billy Tarpley on September 28, 2022

As reported earlier, the Arkansas State Dental Association has begun negotiations with the Arkansas department of human services for a significant fee increase for Medicaid providers. The last published increase occurred 15 years ago and ASDA promises a strong and definitive push to save the current program. An earlier survey indicated that 84% of Medicaid providers would stop seeing Medicaid patients if these are not adjusted within three years.

ASDA among groups seeking more COVID-19 aid for health care

WebAdmin on March 7, 2022

ASDA among groups seeking more COVID-19 aid for health care

Republished from ADA Morning Huddle, February 28, 2022:

Representatives of state health organizations in Arkansas, including the Arkansas State Dental Association, met with US Sens. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., to request more federal funds to ease the financial strain on the state’s health care system from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Terry Fiddler, D.D.S, said dental and medical providers graduate with high levels of student debt, which is affecting health care labor shortages. Sen. Boozman has co-sponsored the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act, which would allow dental and medical students to pause payments on principal loans and interest during internships and residencies. The ADA supports the legislation.

Full Story: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Fayetteville) (2/24)