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Join Us for Lobby Day, March 5-7 in Washington, D.C.
Put your advocacy to work! Registration is open to attend ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day, March 5-7.
Lobby Day offers attendees an unparalleled opportunity to meet with your legislator face-to-face.
Attendees will learn about the issues affecting the dental profession, receive training on how to lobby your lawmakers, network with students and dentists from across the country, and more.
Register by February 5. Learn more.
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Join us tonight for:
“All About Advocacy! Chapter Idea Exchange”
Tonight, Thursday, January 12 at 7 p.m. CT, come hear about a successful advocacy event that one ASDA chapter held, and gain new ideas for advocacy events at your chapter.
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Connecticut Students “Serve the Underserved” | Photo credit: Tina Encarnacion | |
Over 150 dental students, faculty, staff and residents participated in the recent Mission of Mercy free dental clinic hosted at the UConn School of Dental Medicine. This was the first year UConn hosted the clinic. Maayan Schmidt, Connecticut ASDA chapter president, was one of the volunteers who enabled over 1,000 patients to receive free dental care that weekend.
She shared, “I learned that although different dentists have different ways of practicing, when it comes to giving back to the community, any differences are pushed aside so everyone can come together. This event was meaningful for me because I was able to interact with patients who have had very limited access to dental care. These patients expressed such gratitude to all the volunteers, which truly reinforced for me how much of a difference this event made in the lives of the patients being treated.”
Why does it matter?
ASDA’s H-1 policy supports student involvement to address barriers to care. Events like UConn’s Mission of Mercy help impact the oral health of the public through education and outreach to underserved populations.
Ready to further your service to underserved populations?
Join ASDA for our sixth-annual Week of Service, “Serving the Underserved,” running January 16-22. All chapters are encouraged to hold events.
Learn more about the three national challenges and ways to get involved.
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Sixty Seconds to Advocacy
Did you know that sometimes, advocacy only takes a minute? Take a few minutes to check out the video that ASDA’s national Councils on Communication and Advocacy put together describing how a bill becomes a law.
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New Session of Congress has Begun
On January 3, 2023, a new session of Congress began. This is the 118th Congress and will continue for two years until January 3, 2025. During November’s midterm elections, Republicans took control of the House of Representatives, creating a divide between the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Curious about who’s representing you? All newly elected officials have been updated in ASDA Action. Click here to view your elected officials.
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New Medicare Rules Cover Medically Necessary Dental Care
On January 1, 2023, Medicare began covering dental services deemed medically necessary for patients with certain conditions. Some examples include, but are not limited to, dental care before procedures such as organ transplants, cardiac valve replacement or valvuloplasty and more.
The new rules also emphasize the definition of a physician, which includes dentists. While the rules do not currently include dental coverage for patients with diabetes, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be implementing an annual review to determine if additional services should be included in the medically necessary dental benefit.
Need a refresher on Medicare and Medicaid?
Click the image below.
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States Follow Massachusetts’ Lead
States are planning similar initiatives after the great success of the “Question 2” initiative on the November ballot in Massachusetts. Residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of Question 2, which required dental insurers to spend at least 83% of premium dollars on patient care instead of administrative costs and refund individuals/groups if they do not meet the 83% Medical Loss Ratio (MLR). The Question 2 legislation was considered first-of-its-kind, but it does not appear to be the last: now, other states are launching their own campaigns.
In Nevada, a bill has been filed requiring dental insurers to spend at least 80% of premiums on patient care. This 80% would match the requirement for medical insurers and would also require insurance companies to refund any difference to patients if they do not meet the 80% threshold. Oklahoma and Connecticut have big plans as well, as they are anticipated to push for an 85% loss ratio on dental plans.
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Medicaid Expansion: Now and on the Horizon | |
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In Tennessee, as of January 1, comprehensive dental benefits are now available to all Medicaid beneficiaries in the state. While many states only cover emergency dental work, TennCare now offers comprehensive care like cleanings and x-rays.
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In Kentucky, as of January 1, expanded dental benefits are now available to all enrolled Medicaid beneficiaries. Before January 1, Kentucky offered limited dental benefits for adults enrolled in Medicaid. Now, expanded benefits include fillings, dentures, implants, root canals, and more.
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Just over a year ago, Nebraska reached its final stages of Medicaid expansion. Now, over 72,000 Nebraskans are enrolled in the expansion program including those who did not previously qualify. Nebraska will see even more changes come January 2024, when new changes, including health plan contracts integrating dental care with physical, behavioral health and pharmacy services will take effect.
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North Carolina and Kansas’ democratic governors are expected to again push for Medicaid expansion this year, citing less partisan opposition and increasing data on the success of expansion in other states. | | |
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Why does it matter?
Medicaid expansion is an effective way of ensuring patients receive the dental care they need and reducing barriers to care. ASDA’s H-2 Evidence-Based Solutions for Barriers to Care policy supports evidence-based measures that are efficacious and sustainable in reducing barriers to care in underserved communities. These measures include, but are not limited to, early intervention, Medicaid expansion, and co-location of health services.
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