Fewer Utah Dentists Accepting Medicaid Beneficiaries

Fewer dentists in Utah are accepting new Medicaid beneficiaries and some are refusing to accept Medicaid beneficiaries at all, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. According to a dental work force analysis released by the Utah Medical Education Council last week, in 2006 about 75% of the state's 1,075 dentists said that they would not accept new Medicaid patients, in large part because of low reimbursements and missed appointments by beneficiaries. Data from the Utah Department of Health's Division of Health Care Financing show that about 50 fewer dentists submitted a Medicaid claim in 2008 compared with 2006, also indicating a decline in the number of dentists willing to accept Medicaid beneficiaries.

According to the dental work force analysis, reimbursement increases approved by the state Legislature over the past several years might not have had the desired effect. Medicaid reimbursements for dental care increased by 4.3% in 2005, 4.8% in 2006 and 2% in 2007. Reimbursements for treating pregnant women and children increased by 30% in 2008, and reimbursements for adult services increased by 6%. However, the increases have not "been anywhere close to what the costs of dentistry are," Monte Thompson, executive director of the Utah Dental Association, said.

Don Hawley, retired manager of the health department's Bureau of Coverage and Reimbursement Policy, added that because dental care is an "optional" coverage program under federal Medicaid guidelines, dentists are reluctant to participate. Thompson said Medicaid must be a "legitimate, ongoing program" with consistent reimbursement increases for more dentists to participate (Rosetta, Salt Lake Tribune, 8/4).