Government Relations
There was a flurry of activity on dental-related issues during the final week of the Pennsylvania General Assembly ’ s legislative session for 2023 . We are happy to report movement on several bills and the state budget that will benefit dentists and patients and improve access to dental care in the Commonwealth !
The great successes for dentistry in Harrisburg are due , in part , to the concerted efforts of PDA ’ s lobbyists , volunteer leaders and grassroots dentists , who have all advocated for the dental profession and patients , and for policies that promote oral health ! We are grateful for the support of many lawmakers who voted in support of these important bills .
There ’ s more to come in 2024 … stay tuned for ways you can help us achieve dentistry ’ s other legislative goals during the second year of this session ! With your advocacy , we can once again demonstrate that PDA is the trusted voice of dentistry in Pennsylvania .
State budget ( HB 1300 ): The General Assembly passed a fiscal code bill that directs the Department of Human Services ( in coordination with its contracted managed care organizations ) to use $ 12 million in state funds to make a one-time extra payment to Medicaid dentists on claims from calendar year 2022 that include 31 specific dental codes . Medicaid dentists should receive this extra payment in 2024 .
The legislature also appropriated another $ 12 million to increase fees on the same 31 dental services provided to children and adults in the Medicaid program , starting in January 2025 . DHS will apply for a total $ 24 million match from the federal government to help pay for the increase to Medicaid dental providers .
See page 8 for the list of codes set to increase .
The state ’ s fiscal code continues funding for Dental Lifeline Network to work with the Department of Health to operate the Donated Dental Services program in the Commonwealth . The appropriation is used to employ two regional coordinators who screen patients for eligibility and facilitate care with volunteer dentists and dental labs .
Restoration of adult Medicaid services ( HB 1417 ): The House of Representatives passed HB 1417 , which requires a restoration of comprehensive dental services for adult Medicaid patients , subject to appropriate funding from the legislature to cover those services . HB 1417 now moves to the Senate .
Teledentistry ( HB 1585 ): The House of Representatives passed legislation that defines teledentistry and requires insurance payment for teledental services . The State Board of Dentistry is tasked with further regulating teledentistry to ensure that standards of care are met . HB 1585 now moves to the Senate .
PHDHPs conducting school dental screenings ( HB 1478 ): The General Assembly passed legislation that amends the Commonwealth ’ s Public School Code permitting public health dental hygiene practitioners ( PHDHPs ) to provide screenings in the school setting to children in kindergarten , third and seventh grades . Gov . Josh Shapiro signed HB 1478 into law in December .
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2024 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 7