Advocates urge sharp Medicaid dental rate increases to expand care for people with disabilities

Chairman Carpenter and members of the Committee on Social Services Budget heard extensive oral testimony from patients, providers and advocacy groups urging the committee to increase Medicaid dental reimbursement and remove administrative barriers that keep dentists from treating Medicaid enrollees, particularly adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Advocates said the shortage of Medicaid-participating dentists forces families to travel long distances for care or delay treatment. "Why should they have to travel hours away for dental care?" said Tammy Veeson, who testified as guardian and caregiver for her brother, who has cerebral palsy. "We need change and we need it now."

The ask to the committee combined several elements: a $16.9 million SGF increase to raise dental rates to a level advocates say would match Missouri’s recent investments and substantially grow provider participation; a $1.3 million SGF increase to raise the hospital operating-room reimbursement code (referred to as the G0330 code in testimony) so hospitals will be more likely to open ORs for dental cases requiring anesthesia; and…