Legislature(2005 - 2006)BUTROVICH 205
02/16/2005 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB82 | |
| SB78 | |
| SB79 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 82 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 78 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 79 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 79-MEDICAID FOR ADULT DENTAL SERVICES
CHAIR FRED DYSON announced SB 79 to be up for consideration.
3:08:43 PM
BRAD WHISTLER, dental officer, Department of Health and Social
Services (DHSS), introduced himself.
COMMISSIONER JOEL GILBERTSON, Department of Health and Social
Services (DHSS), explained this is a Governor proposal under
Medicaid. It would provide capped preventative dental healthcare
benefit to all low-income adults in Alaska.
Currently, Medicaid dental coverage for people over age 21 is
restricted to emergency dental services, which basically means
pulling a tooth if a problem arises. SB 79 proposes to enhance
the emergency dental Medicaid services for adults to include
preventative and/or restorative care. Because of the lack of
preventative Medicaid dental services in years past, a backlog
exists, which justifies the proposed annual benefit cap for
preventative services to $1,150 per client. The annual limit
amounts to what it would cost to replace an upper or lower
denture so that a senior could replace a full denture over a
two-year period.
He noted currently there are about 41,000 Medicaid beneficiaries
in Alaska.
3:11:09 PM
COMMISSIONER GILBERTSON said the Mendenhall Trust Authority is a
partner in the proposal and has allocated some of its money to
pay part of the state match. Recent studies have shown a link
between oral health and chronic diseases and the trust
recognizes the trustees have a pressing need for oral health
care. "This transition will allow us to position the Medicaid
program around preventative services, which is a good investment
for the state."
He noted the associated fiscal note and explained the general
fund match is augmented with Mental Health Trust money for the
next six years. There are a number of optional services under
Medicaid and this proposal is to include preventative dental
services.
3:13:06 PM
SENATOR KIM ELTON asked the number of Alaska dentists that do
Medicaid services.
COMMISSIONER GILBERTSON acknowledged access has been an issue.
MR. WHISTLER said access varies across the state but overall,
about 85 percent of Alaska dentists are enrolled in the Medicaid
program. Although he didn't know how many dentists are accepting
new Medicaid clients he did acknowledge the real access issue is
when new clients who are enrolled in Medicaid go for care. With
regard to the adult program, the proposal would augment the
tribal dental programs that are already serving adults.
3:15:32 PM
SENATOR ELTON referenced the fee information in the fiscal note
and said it would be helpful to have a list of the Juneau
dentists that provide two cleanings a year for $250 because he
pays considerably more.
MR. WHISTLER replied the fiscal note is based on Medicaid
reimbursement rates and private rates would be higher.
CHAIR DYSON commented most medical practitioners aren't happy
with the Medicaid reimbursement rates. He was curious about the
view dentists might have.
MR. WHISTLER replied most dental practices wouldn't have more
than 5 to 10 percent of its clients in the Medicaid program so
dentists don't typically rely on those clients for practice
income. He suggested it might make dentists more vocal about
reimbursement rates. The program has tried to maintain
reimbursement at between 70 and 80 percent of usual customary
reasonable fees.
COMMISSIONER GILBERTSON added the department has always been
concerned about provider participation in the Medicaid program.
Across the board, between 55 and 60 percent of the licensed
providers in the state accept Medicaid as a portion of the
insurance they accept.
3:18:04 PM
SENATOR DONNY OLSON noted chronic diseases were addressed, but
he saw no mention of acute diseases such as gingivitis and
resultant septicemia. He was curious how the bill would address
those issues.
MR. WHISTLER said that sort of case would fit an emergency
dental service, which would be covered in the current program.
This bill proposes to cover preventive and restorative dental
services in addition to the emergency services. Hopefully this
would augment existing services so fewer people would get into
an acute condition.
COMMISSIONER GILBERTSON restated Mr. Whistler's response.
3:19:22 PM
CHAIR DYSON recognized Mr. Jessie and asked whether he was
testifying that the Mental Health Board agrees with the bill and
the funding provided by the Mental Health Trust.
JEFF JESSIE said that is correct. He informed members the trust
issues over $1 million per year in mini grants paid directly to
beneficiaries and nearly 70 percent of the requests are for
dental needs that aren't covered by Medicaid. It's clear there
is need in this area.
PAT LUBY, AARP representative, testified in of SB 79.
ROSEMARY HAGEVIG, executive director, Catholic Community
Services, testified in strong support of SB 79. She pointed out
that providing dental care would help many people get back into
the workforce so they see this as a workplace issue.
3:23:26 PM
CHAIR DYSON asked for the will of the committee.
SENATOR ELTON moved CSSB 79(HES) \G version, and attached fiscal
note from committee with individual recommendations. There being
no objection, it was so ordered.
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