Oregon dentists are struggling to keep up with the state’s low reimbursements for Medicaid services, placing some in a tough financial position, Oregon Live reported Nov. 17.
Six notes:
1. Roughly 58% of dentists in the state did not accept Medicaid as of 2019, according to data from the American Dental Association.
2. Oregon currently pays about 28% of what dentists would receive from other payers.
3. The Oregon Health Authority reported last year that the state’s low reimbursements are a top reason for dentists not accepting patients under Medicaid, in addition to the administrative burden.
4. Tesha Waggoner, DMD, told Oregon Live that she recently learned one of the companies that manages Medicaid benefits was cutting its reimbursement rates.
5. The cuts will affect about 40% of Dr. Waggoner’s patients and will result in a loss of roughly $46,000 over the next two months, forcing Dr. Waggoner to consider ways to continue serving the Medicaid population sustainably, including cutting staff hours.
6. Many patients still experience challenges accessing care despite efforts the state has made in recent years to enhance Medicaid coverage, including expanding adult coverage and increasing rates for services provided to patients with special needs.
