Update on Adult Medicaid Dental Benefits (2024)

How did we get here?

Throughout 2023, Kentucky Youth Advocates and the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition have monitored the adult Medicaid dental benefit expansion, summarizing the progression of this issue:

• October 2022 – Governor Beshear announces expanded dental benefits for adults on Medicaid including restorative treatment like fillings, crowns, implants, and dentures to begin in 2023.
• January 2023 – The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) files emergency regulations to begin offering these benefits, including a rate increase for providers.
• February 2023 – The Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee (ARRS) finds the regulations to be deficient. SB 65 is filed to rescind the regulations.
• March 2023 – SB 65 becomes law, following a veto-override from the legislature.
• April 2023 – New regulations are filed by CHFS to reinstate the expanded dental benefits.
• May 2023 – CHFS accepting public comments on the new regulations – only positive comments were received. ARRS finds the new regulations deficient.
• August 2023 – ARRS hears the new regulations again, no action taken.

What’s next?

Despite the deficiency finding in May, the regulations are currently activeand Medicaid recipients are eligible for the expanded dental benefits. Kentucky Youth Advocates and KOHC will continue to monitor this regulation and provide updates to membership and oral health stakeholders.

Read and watch the full testimony shared by KOHC and Dr. Kayla Fields, a dentist in Southeastern Kentucky and a KOHC member, at the ARRS Committee meeting on 8/8/2023.

The need for comprehensive dental benefits is well-established in the Commonwealth, which ranks in the bottom five on several oral health indicators and has more adults over age 65 with no natural teeth than any other state.The proposed regulation we are discussing today aims to address the lack of treatment options for adults by adding covered services to provide restoration options, such as fillings, dental implants, and dentures, in addition to ensuring two cleanings per year, which is in line with the recommended dental visit schedule. We believe the expansion of Medicaid dental services for adults is an important first step to improving the oral health and overall health of our population in Kentucky.

– Alicia Whatley, Policy and Advocacy Director at Kentucky Youth Advocates, the backbone organization of the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition

See Also

CEO of Kentucky's best Medicaid plan on how partnerships lead to qualityCan I use my Medicaid coverage in any state? | healthinsurance.orgGov. Beshear: Federal Medicaid Renewal Coming SoonHow to Renew Kentucky Medicaid

Our patients need expanded coverage for services like dentures, as we are aware of the impact having a healthy, beautiful smile has on an individual’s confidence and well-being. It’s very rewarding, as a provider, to know you have helped someone reenter the workforce or advance in their career. It’s very rewarding to know that your patient isn’t paranoid to smile and feels more comfortable in social settings. So far, we have completed or are in the process of completing over 78 cases. This is 78 people edentulism can’t hold back anymore.

– Dr. Kayla Fields, dental director for Grace Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center serving Southeastern Kentucky

Have questions about coverage? Visit chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms to contact the Department for Medicaid Services or contact your MCO directly.

Share This!

1. 

   SheliaSeptember 13, 2023 at 11:18 am - Reply

   Medicaid recipients can’t get in to a dentist for months at a time.

2. 

   JenniferNovember 9, 2023 at 3:21 am - Reply

   So I’m confused. Because some sites says medicaid does cover implants but then when I call they tell me they don’t accept my insurance. Can someone pease tell me if passport is covering implants ? People look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them what I’ve read. If this is true there has got to be a way to let people know.

3. 

   ChristyNovember 12, 2023 at 3:49 pm - Reply

   I can’t find a dentist taking new patients on Medicaid, for the past 2 1/2 yrs. For me it my kids, there isn’t enough Medicaid dentists around the McCracken, Marshall, or Graves county ky area at all.

4. 

   ChristiNovember 21, 2023 at 7:22 pm - Reply

   I can’t find a dentist near me, that takes Medicaid. I’m going to have to travel.

5. 

   Jacqueline strongDecember 6, 2023 at 7:03 pm - Reply

   Same here it’s going to kill me before I can find a dentist that accepts passport

   • 

     JasJanuary 20, 2024 at 12:56 am - Reply

     Switch insurance providers. You can switch at any time now no waiting for open enrollment. Humana is a good insurance. Usually taken anywhere medicaid is accepted.

6. 

   Tracey SotoJanuary 23, 2024 at 10:58 am - Reply

   Well im calling the governors office and letting him know that the plan he made to have medicaid to pay for dentures and implants is not working there isnt a dentist anywhere who takes Medicaid for adults or seniors.

7. 

   LucyFebruary 5, 2024 at 11:57 am - Reply

   For anyone saying they can’t find a dentist. Call your insurance company (1800 number on the back of card), they will give you numbers to dentist in your area.