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Committee raises Medicaid reimbursement for complex rehab technology and funds mobile sedation dentistry
Summary
After KDHE technical briefing, the committee approved a 20% increase in Medicaid reimbursement for certain complex rehabilitation technology codes (about $100,494 all funds in FY27, including $37,394 SGF) and approved a one‑year $2,000,000 SGF cap to support mobile sedation dentistry add‑ons; the KDHE budget was approved as amended.
The committee approved two KDHE items intended to increase provider payments and access for specialized services.
Representative Steens urged increasing Medicaid reimbursement for complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) toward Medicare parity, prompting KDHE staff to offer two options: a 10% or a 20% increase to current Medicaid payments for the applicable codes. KDHE Deputy Secretary Christine Osterlund explained that Medicaid and Medicare use different modifier and pricing methodologies and said parity would be difficult to implement quickly, recommending instead a 20% Medicaid increase. "It's a completely different methodology," Osterlund said of the Medicare‑Medicaid comparison, noting a low volume of net new CRT cases in a given year and limited fiscal impact.
Committee staff provided a fiscal note: a 20% increase would add about $100,494 all funds in FY27, including approximately $37,394 in state general funds. After questions about rate-setting mechanics and MCO flexibility, the committee voice-voted to adopt the 20% increase.
On mobile sedation dentistry, Representative Orpiza proposed a one‑year SGF add‑on cap of $2,000,000 to reimburse mobile providers (including CRNAs) who serve patients across multiple counties. The committee moved, seconded and passed the $2,000,000 one‑year appropriation by voice vote.
Finally, Representative King moved to pass the KDHE budget for FY26 and FY27 as amended; the committee approved that motion by voice vote.
What comes next: The KDHE budget and the reimbursement changes will be incorporated into the chair’s appropriations report and forwarded to House appropriations.
