FearfulInMA
Super Moderator
Staff member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2012
- Messages
- 2,150
- Location
- Massachusetts, USA
How the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) Impacts (and does not impact) Dental Coverage in the US
I posted this information in response to some questions in the Dentistry Questions forum about what will (and won't) change about dental coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare). I consolidated the information and thought it might be better suited here in General, News, and Events.
For individuals with Commercial (purchased through an employer or as an individual) dental insurance:
Unfortunately, the changes to dental coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) will only impact children (and even then, only those covered under certain types of plans). Here is a very good fact sheet that clearly explains the changes that will occur for employer-based and self-insured health plans.
[broken link removed]
For individuals with Medicaid (Government insurance for low-income individuals -- funded partly by the federal government and partly by individual states):
And, here is information about how the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) will impact Medicaid members -- again, no change for adults (meaning that in many states -- states set their own standards for what is covered -- only cleanings, x-rays, and extractions are covered) no significant change in coverage for children.
The changes for children will be:
1. An expanded pool of children eligible for Medicaid (due to increased family income limits).
2. An expansion of school-based dental programs
3. The creation of new dentist-type professionals that will work in underserved areas providing a limited number of dental services.
Here is an article detailing how the Affordable Care Act will impact dental care for Medicaid members. It also spells out some of the reasons that various professional dental groups were for and against this legislation.
http://www.dp5th.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/nydental_201109.pdf (caution, pic on first page of teeth and dental instrument).
I posted this information in response to some questions in the Dentistry Questions forum about what will (and won't) change about dental coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare). I consolidated the information and thought it might be better suited here in General, News, and Events.
For individuals with Commercial (purchased through an employer or as an individual) dental insurance:
Unfortunately, the changes to dental coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) will only impact children (and even then, only those covered under certain types of plans). Here is a very good fact sheet that clearly explains the changes that will occur for employer-based and self-insured health plans.
[broken link removed]
For individuals with Medicaid (Government insurance for low-income individuals -- funded partly by the federal government and partly by individual states):
And, here is information about how the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) will impact Medicaid members -- again, no change for adults (meaning that in many states -- states set their own standards for what is covered -- only cleanings, x-rays, and extractions are covered) no significant change in coverage for children.
The changes for children will be:
1. An expanded pool of children eligible for Medicaid (due to increased family income limits).
2. An expansion of school-based dental programs
3. The creation of new dentist-type professionals that will work in underserved areas providing a limited number of dental services.
Here is an article detailing how the Affordable Care Act will impact dental care for Medicaid members. It also spells out some of the reasons that various professional dental groups were for and against this legislation.
http://www.dp5th.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/nydental_201109.pdf (caution, pic on first page of teeth and dental instrument).
Last edited by a moderator: