The American Dental Association reports that 14 state legislatures passed progressive legislation regarding Medicaid dental care this year, in part due to rising budget surpluses in those states. Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia raise Medicaid dental costs in one way or another .

According to the ADA, this windfall is due in part to the fact that state dental societies “are very engaged on the issue,” which has led to the adoption of positive legislation in these 14 states and three others with pending legislation.

Unfortunately, Texas is not one of them despite its huge budget windfall.

Here is the list provided by the ADA.

These 14 states have enacted dental Medicaid laws:

Connecticut
State lawmakers have approved a 25% increase in Medicaid dental costs.

Florida
The Florida Dental Association has advocated preventing the state’s dental Medicaid program from being merged with the state’s managed medical care Medicaid program. The state association has accomplished this despite strong pressure from state Medicaid officials, and in doing so, ensures that Florida’s Medicaid program will continue to be well funded and accessible.

Georgia
The state budget provides increased reimbursements for some Medicaid dental services.

Illinois
The state budget includes $10 million to increase rates for preventive dental services.

Kansas
A new law extends dental coverage for enrolled adults from emergency-only to more comprehensive care.

Louisiana
A new law now requires Medicaid to cover dental care for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who reside in intermediate care facilities.

Maryland
A new law in Maryland adds diagnostic, preventive, restorative and periodontic services for adults whose annual income is at or below 133% of the federal poverty level. Previously, the state had no dental coverage for enrolled adults outside of pilot programs. Funding is also included to increase reimbursement rates for dental services.

Mississippi
The state has approved fee increases for restorative services performed on Medicaid patients.

Missouri
Lawmakers this year passed one of the largest Medicaid dental cost increases in state history. Reimbursement rates will now be set at 80% of 2022 average charges, bringing them more in line with charges paid in commercial dental plans.

Nebraska
State lawmakers passed a 10% increase in Medicaid dental fees and also eliminated the $750 annual spending limit for adult dental services. The plan to combine the state dental program into the state managed medical care organization was also passed.

South Dakota
South Dakota lawmakers have approved the plan to set Medicaid dental fees at a percentage of normal, customary fees in hopes that more dentists will be able to participate in the program.

Tennessee
Following the passage of its state budget, Tennessee’s Medicaid program will begin adding comprehensive dental coverage for the state’s 600,000 enrolled adults in 2023. Additionally, fees will increase by more than 6.5% for preventive, endodontic and other services. The state also funded a pilot program to strengthen access frameworks by funding dental school programs serving low-income patients, improving the use of community dental health coordinators, incentivizing dentists who agree to practice in rural areas and also helping to cover the costs of enrollees. transportation to dental appointments.

Vermont
The state budget included $1 million for dental Medicaid funding. The state also eliminated limitations on preventative dental services in Medicaid.

Virginia
The state budget agreement includes a 30% increase in reimbursement costs for Medicaid dental providers.

These three states have pending legislation:

Hawaii
The state is about to add more comprehensive dental coverage for enrolled adults. Currently, there are only adult emergency benefits.

Michigan
The proposed executive budget includes an investment to replicate the success of Healthy Kids Dental for all Medicaid enrollees in the state through one combined managed care contract, expanding dental care access to more than 3 million Michiganders. The final budget bill has yet to be approved by the Michigan House and Senate.

New Hampshire
Lawmakers voted to enact legislation extending dental coverage for adults beyond emergencies only. Final approval by the Governor would be the final step to securing this benefit.