On Oct. 31, 2017 Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-TX) re-introduced the Protecting Seniors Access to Proper Care Act, legislation that would repeal the requirement that dentists become a Medicare provider in order for their Medicare beneficiary patients to continue receiving their Part D benefits. The AGD followed up with a letter sent Nov. 13 thanking Rep. Marchant for his efforts on this important issue and for sponsoring this legislation.

Initially, the Affordable Care Act required that all dentists who prescribe to Medicare Part D beneficiaries either opt-in or opt-out of the Medicare program beginning June 1, 2016 or the prescriptions written for their Medicare beneficiary patients would not be covered.

On Oct. 31, 2016, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) delayed the enforcement of the requirement again to Jan. 1, 2019.

Impact on General Dentistry: The AGD will continue to push Congress and CMS for an exemption from the Medicare Enrollment mandate.