Historic Medicaid Rate Increase – One of the largest Medicaid rate increases in the state’s history, reimbursement rates for MO HealthNet dental providers will be 80 percent of the 50th percentile of 2022 UCR beginning July 1, 2023. In other words, this means 80 percent of the average 2022 fees for codes in a particular area. This increase means Missouri’s dental Medicaid reimbursement rates will be comparable to those of traditional insurance. Additional Resources: FY23 Rates | The Ins, Outs and In-Between: How Dental Medicaid Works and How It Can Work for You (ADA CE)
Assignment of Benefits (SB710) – Passed legislation to include pre-paid dental plans under Missouri’s Assignment of Benefits (AOB) statute. Previously, Missouri’s AOB law did not apply to pre-paid dental plans.
Credentialing (SB710) – Passed legislation to include pre-paid dental plans under Missouri’s credentialing statute. Previously, Missouri’s credentialing laws did not apply to pre-paid dental plans.
Medical Retainer Agreements (In-Office Dental Plans) (HB2168) – Previously, Missouri law only allowed for in-office plans, also known as “medical retainer agreements”, in medical settings. This legislation changes that statute to also include dental providers, therefore allowing Missouri dentists to create and offer in-office plans to their patients. In-office dental plans are a revolutionary development in health care, empowering patients to deal directly with their provider of choice. These plans may provide many of the benefits of a traditional fee-for-service dental plans or traditional dental insurance plan, without the red tape.
Missouri Dental Board Pilot Project (HB2149) – Successfully advocated for legislation to give the Missouri Dental Board to the statutory authority to develop pilot projects to extend dental care to under-served populations throughout the state. This legislation will allow the Missouri Dental Board and Office of Dental Health to consider innovative ways to extend the oral healthcare workforce to populations that may otherwise have difficulties utilizing existing oral healthcare facilities.
DHSS Student Loan Program (SB710 and HB2331) – Adds dental surgery, dental medicine, and dental hygiene students to the list of types of students eligible for a loan through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The bill also raises the maximum loan from $7,500 to $25,000 per academic year.