AGD Leads Organized Dentistry in Support of Bill to Improve Dental Care for Foster Youth
AGD led a coalition of 15 dental organizations in sending a letter of support to Representative Karen Bass (D-CA) on June 28 for her bipartisan legislation, the Foster Youth Dental Act of 2021 (H.R.1794). The bill seeks to strengthen dental coverage under the Medicaid program for foster youth by increasing eligibility, providing incentives for dental providers, enhancing outreach efforts for enrollment, and protecting existing coverage for foster youth.
Youth who have aged out of the foster care system face considerable barriers in accessing oral health care. While foster youth may receive dental care while covered under Medicaid’s EPSDT benefit, 39% of youths that have aged out of foster care do not have dental insurance. Additionally, foster care alumni without dental insurance are 93.5% less likely to have their dental needs met than those with insurance.
The Foster Youth Dental Act would expand Medicaid oral health coverage for former foster youth by increasing the eligibility age from 21 years old to 25. The legislation would also provide incentives for dental providers by making the Medicaid reimbursement rate for oral health services provided to eligible patients equal to the higher of a state’s median private sector dental payment rate or the national median private sector dental rate.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD strongly supports the legislation as it seeks to help improve access to and utilization of dental care issues among eligible former foster youth. Additionally, the legislation importantly recognizes the critical role increasing reimbursement rates can play in addressing the challenges facing state Medicaid programs in terms of provider participation. AGD appreciates the support from
Youth who have aged out of the foster care system face considerable barriers in accessing oral health care. While foster youth may receive dental care while covered under Medicaid’s EPSDT benefit, 39% of youths that have aged out of foster care do not have dental insurance. Additionally, foster care alumni without dental insurance are 93.5% less likely to have their dental needs met than those with insurance.
The Foster Youth Dental Act would expand Medicaid oral health coverage for former foster youth by increasing the eligibility age from 21 years old to 25. The legislation would also provide incentives for dental providers by making the Medicaid reimbursement rate for oral health services provided to eligible patients equal to the higher of a state’s median private sector dental payment rate or the national median private sector dental rate.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD strongly supports the legislation as it seeks to help improve access to and utilization of dental care issues among eligible former foster youth. Additionally, the legislation importantly recognizes the critical role increasing reimbursement rates can play in addressing the challenges facing state Medicaid programs in terms of provider participation. AGD appreciates the support from