Here are six dental-related Medicaid updates that have taken place since November:
1. Orange, Calif.-based Western Dental is urging California legislators to protect Medi-Cal dental funding in the state’s 2026-2027 budget.
2. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein directed the state health department to restore Medicaid reimbursement rates.
3. Dentist participation in state Medicaid programs has not improved despite expansions in benefits over the years, according to new data from the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute.
4. Six states have passed legislation this year to increase Medicaid dental funding and expand benefits.
5. Oregon dentists are struggling to keep up with the state’s low reimbursements for Medicaid services, placing some in a tough financial position.
6. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis proposed capping some reimbursement rates and limiting dental benefits in an effort to save the state money.
