Western Dental, one of the largest providers of the California state dental program Denti-Cal, has cited low reimbursement and increased demand as reasons they will stop seeing new Denti-Cal patients, reports Sacramento Business Journal.
Here are eight things to know:
1. Western Dental serves 650,000-700,000 patients annually.
2. As Medi-Cal has grown, Western Dental's clientele has shifted to more low-margin patients who need more care.
3. Simon Castellanos, CEO of Western Dental, told Sacramento Business Journal that "Denti-Cal is broken and driving away providers."
4. According to Mr. Castellanos, dentists have not received a pay increase since 2000 to 2001 as expenses increase and rates were cut.
5. Effective June 1, Western Dental will stop taking new Denti-Cal patients at 13 offices and they will completely close two offices.
6. The plan is to convert more offices to traditional insurance, according to Mr. Castellanos.
7. The Denti-Cal program has received criticism from the California State Auditor, according to the report.
8. Coalitions in the state are also urging Gov. Jerry Brown to improve the program so that more enrollees can access care.
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