Arkansas lawmakers must consider new options to boost support for its Medicaid dental program after CMS rejected several measures, CBS affiliate THV 11 reported Jan. 15.
Five notes:
1. The state legislature passed four bills during its last session aimed at supporting Medicaid dental care.
2. Two of the passed bills aimed to increase reimbursement rates for services provided to children and adults with special needs.
3. CMS officials reportedly rejected the bills’ implementation and instead gave the state four different options to enhance dental care under Medicaid, including creating waivers for patients with special needs and to create an expanded limit for Medicaid recipients who receive dental care.
4. The state’s Department of Human Services told THV 11 that it looks forward to working with CMS on a way to increase dental rates under Medicaid.
5. Lawmakers passed a motion Jan. 15 requiring DHS to report back on its progress.
