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Senate committee hears extended testimony on proposed Medicaid dental rate increases; bill reported out
Summary
Senate Bill 347, aimed at raising Medicaid dental reimbursements and increasing an annual cap for adults with special needs, drew prolonged testimony from dentists, dental associations and DHS officials before the committee voted to pass the measure.
Senators heard extended testimony on Senate Bill 347, a multi-part proposal to raise Medicaid dental reimbursement rates and increase the annual dental cap for adults with special needs. After extensive questioning of association witnesses and the Department of Human Services (DHS), the committee voted to pass the bill.
Presenters included representatives of the Arkansas State Dental Association and practicing providers who described operational and access problems under the current Medicaid fee schedule. Dr. Aaron Baldwin, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon from Hot Springs, said he and other providers face reimbursement rates that cover only 32%–44% of typical fees for nonhospital procedures, and that his practice stopped accepting new…
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