MA dental benefit added 2021, 1st Special Session HF33/SF37 Chapter 7, Article 1, Section 7, Subdivision 9 HHS omnibus bill Effective: July 1, 2021, or upon federal approval, whichever is later Short description Medical Assistance will cover the dental service, nonsurgical treatment for periodontal disease, for nonpregnant adults. Summary The Medical Assistance coverage of dental services for nonpregnant adults, now covers the nonsurgical treatment for periodontal disease, including scaling and root planing once every two years for each quadrant, and routine periodontal maintenance procedures. This expansion of coverage also applies to the MinnesotaCare program. Implications Presumably, this change will benefit seniors enrolled in Medicaid. According to the National Institutes of Health: Prevalence of Periodontal Disease •
17.20% of seniors age 65 and over have periodontal disease.
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Older seniors, Black and Hispanic seniors, current smokers, and those with lower incomes and less education are more likely to have periodontal disease.
Prevalence of Severe Periodontal disease •
10.58% of seniors 65 and over have moderate or severe periodontal disease.
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Older seniors, Black and Hispanic seniors, current smokers, and those with lower incomes and less education are more likely to have moderate/severe periodontal disease.
Bill language https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2021/1/Session+Law/Chapter/7/ Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 256B.0625, subdivision 9, is amended to read: Subd. 9. Dental services. (a) Medical assistance covers dental services. (b) Medical assistance dental coverage for nonpregnant adults is limited to the following services:
CARE PROVIDERS OF MINNESOTA
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2021 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BOOK
