ADA Supports Legislation to Reduce Medicaid Administrative Barriers

The ADA led 14 other dental organizations in thanking Rep. Mike Simpson, DMD, R-Idaho, for introducing legislation that would reduce administrative barriers for dentists who participate in Medicaid.

H.R. 1422, the Strengthening Medicaid Incentives for Licensees Enrolled in Dental Act, would reduce administrative barriers by simplifying the credentialing process so that dentists do not have long wait times to become Medicaid providers. This bill would encourage states to use an integrated system such as CAQH to minimize paperwork and complete the credentialing process within 90 days.

“In order to help ensure access to care, a strong network of dentists is needed to see the patients served by Medicaid,” wrote ADA President George R. Shepley, DDS, and Executive Director Raymond A. Cohlmia, DDS, in a separate letter sent by the ADA. “Unfortunately, however, administrative requirements often discourage dentists from signing up for, or staying in the Medicaid program. Additionally, the SMILED Act would ensure fair Medicaid audits by requiring that they be performed by a dentist from the same specialty and be based on clinical practice guidelines from the ADA and other dental organizations. Follow all of the ADA’s advocacy efforts at ADA.org/advocacy.

ADA Answers Your Questions on New DEA Registration Requirement Effective June 27

In December 2022, the U.S. Congress passed an omnibus spending bill that included the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act. This new law requires prescribers of controlled substances, including dentists, to complete eight hours of one-time training on safely prescribing controlled substances (Schedules II, III, IV, and/or V) in order to receive or renew their registration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

It’s likely that you received an email from the DEA last week notifying you of this new requirement, which goes into effect on June 27, 2023. To help dentists comply, the ADA has created a Frequently Asked Questions document addressing common questions we have heard from members, including:

• Does this new federal training requirement affect me?

• What am I required to do?

• How much time do I have to satisfy the new training requirement?

• Do I need to maintain records showing I have completed the training?

• How will I know what courses will satisfy the requirement?

• Will training hours completed prior to the law’s passage count toward the new requirement?

• Will I have to complete the 8 hours of federally required CE on a cyclical basis?

• Will CE credits that are accepted for state licensure count toward the new federal requirement?

• Can my state impose additional CE requirements?

• Am I required to complete training on topics that are outside of my scope of practice?

• Do I have to use a specific CE provider? Will ADA CERP credits count?

• Does the ADA offer CE on safe controlled substance prescribing?

The ADA will update the FAQ regularly to answer new questions and share additional information. Currently, our team is working to address questions about how the DEA will enforce the requirement, how the rule will affect prescribers with multiple DEA registrations, and other topics.

If you have further questions, the ADA’s Member Service Center is here to help. Contact the MSC via e-mail at msc@ada.org or call 312440-2500. Staff are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. central time.

In the meantime, I encourage you to visit the DEA Diversion Control Division’s website for more updates at deadiversion.usdoj.gov. Additional information may be found at ADA.org.

George R. Shepley, D.D.S. ADA President