On Nov. 16, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced proposed changes to Medicare drug plans, including voiding the requirement that dentists enroll in or validly opt-out of Medicare in order for prescriptions written for their Medicare beneficiary patients to be covered. The proposed rule also contains changes to Medicare Part C, including a repeal of the current provision requiring dentists to be enrolled in Medicare in order to provide supplemental services to patients enrolled in Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage plans. The new rule proposes that Medicare Advantage organizations not pay for these services if the provider is on CMS' “preclusion” list, which would “consist of certain individuals and entities that are currently revoked from the Medicare program.”

Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted by CMS through Jan. 16, 2018. It is expected that the ruling will be finalized following the comment period, in 2018.

Impact on General Dentistry: The AGD has actively pursued the removal of this requirement for dentists in the interest of its members and is excited to announce these developments. Please visit the AGD’s updated Medicare FAQs Key Issues page or contact the AGD at practice@agd.org if you have any additional questions.