APA WF 22-18 Mobile Dental Services
Currently, policy only allows mobile or portable dental providers to render services to just children, and the services are limited to just screenings, fluoride varnish and sealants. The proposed rule changes would expand the services that mobile dental providers render; and allow the mobile dental services to be authorized for both children and adults. Due to a dental provider shortage in numerous areas of Oklahoma, many SoonerCare members are unable to access dental care so these changes will help with that barrier.
Please view the circulation document here: APA WF # 22-18 and submit feedback via the comment box below.
Circulation Date: 08/16/2022
Comment Due Date: 08/31/2022
Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) Meeting: 09/08/2022
Board Meeting: 09/21/2022
Comments
Lisa Gifford:
Does this section need to be updated?
(c) Coverage. Portable dental unit services are only available for SoonerCare-eligible individuals under the age of twenty-one (21) and limited to the services noted in (1) through (3) of this Subsection.
Lynda Harrison:
There is a huge need for dental services for adults, since dental problems impact the total health, as well as mental health.
Steven Goldman:
This looks like a good idea.....but revised 317:30-5-706 section (e) should say counties with "fewer than 10 Medicaid ADULT dental providers" since Adult providers are the defining need at this time. (And not just in rural areas....even the new Tulsa OU Dental Clinic does not accept Adult Expansion SoonerCare members.).........While Adult Expansion members have a Dental "benefit" there is no easy "access" because they can not look-up dentists that are contracted for Adult services. The OHCA "Provider Finder" does not allow sorting for "Adult Dental"; this discourages access. There are apparently so few Adult Dental providers that it would be easy for OHCA to publish a separate list. (The precedent for this is OHCA publishing a monthly list of InsureOklahoma-Individual Plan providers when that program was new.) Please be in touch if more info would be helpful. Thank you.
OHCA Response:
Thank you for your comment. The OHCA takes every comment under advisement and consideration. The language regarding shortage areas was based on data acquired by the OHCA. There are some underserved areas that have zero or only one to two dental providers, thus creating an access issue for both children and adults. Dental benefits are available for most SoonerCare populations and mobile clinics will serve to be a benefit for all.
Steven Goldman:
Why are there geographic limitations at all? Mobile and portable dental services are helpful everywhere, across all ages. If OHCA policy is to encourage this....will the Dental Managed Care RFP sufficiently emphasize and incentivize mobile services in underserved areas?
OHCA Response:
The Dental RFP was posted on 9/1/2022 and can be viewed here.
The geographic limitations were inputted into policy because it is the goal of the OHCA for members to have a dental home; however, after data was complied it was determined that there are some underserved areas that are in need of and could benefit heavily from mobile dental clinics. The OHCA would like for these mobile dental providers to strive to serve these underserved areas.
