Like many of you, I’ve met with legislators to explain how the current Medicaid reimbursement rates don’t allow dentists to break even financially when treating MA patients. Far too often, our elected officials are quick to say that dentists won’t take MA patients even if the rates are increased which we know is simply not true.
Then we learned that the Governor Scott Walker’s budget had been approved by the legislature and four counties (Brown, Marathon, Polk and Racine) had been selected to receive enhanced rates that essentially doubled the current levels, which put them on par with the fee schedules of most private dental benefit companies.
The Wisconsin Dental Association and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services collaborated on hosting in-person educational kick-off sessions in each of the counties in which all dentists were invited to attend. Even though updates have been included in all WDA communication channels, our staff is continually looking for ways to promote the pilot and encourage dentists to participate.
From the beginning, WDA has been asking DHS how they plan to gather, analyze and share data. A workgroup has been created to establish the criteria that will be used to evaluate the success of the pilot and WDA Director of Government Services Matt Rossetto is an actively engaged member in the process.
By the end of the year, a survey will be sent to all dentists in the four counties. Our goal is to learn more about the successes and challenges facing dentists enrolled in the MA program and show the state the increasing reimbursement rates to a fair level will allow dentists to participate in the program. If successful, we will be able to present a compelling case to expand the number of counties in the next budget.
Because so much is at stake, we really need dentists to step up and participate. If you practice in one of the four counties, please become a Medicaid provider.
this could be good news for medicaid recipients as well as those dentists who still want to have a means of giving back a little bit of what we have been so privileged to have… but is there a source we may reference what these “fees” that are essentially on par with those of most private dental benefit companies are?
Hi Dr. Nyffeler,
The fee schedule is available at forwardhealth.wi.gov. I’m also happy to provide you with a copy if you’d like to email me at [email protected].
Not for public posting, but A LOT of Polk County dentists are not participating in the program, to my frustration. BUT somehow MA was billed $850,000 last year. I REALLY want to know where that money was dispensed. Private dentist? Northlakes Superior Smiles ? Please help. That’s A LOT of fillings and extractions.
Hi Dr. McCormack,
Thank you very much for your participation. We did take your question to DHS and are still waiting on a response from them breaking down where the money is spent.
–Matt
Thanks Matt, just keep me posted.