Medicaid recipients in rural Missouri are still struggling to access dental care despite the state expanding Medicaid coverage, Kansas City Mag reported Oct. 26.
Five notes:
1. Missouri expanded Medicaid dental benefits over the summer, allowing adults to receive routine dental exams.
2. The state also boosted reimbursements in 2022 from 30% to 80% of market rates.
3. Although the number of dental practices participating in the program increased after the legislative changes, many rural counties continue to lack providers.
4. The state has low provider ratios, with about one dental hygienist for every 1,750 residents and one dentist for every 2,030 residents.
5. Many high-cost procedures remain uncovered by Medicaid, including crowns, bridges and dentures, which advocates say will lead adults to continue to delay or forgo treatment.
