MEDICAID FUNDING FOR ADULT EXTRACTIONS

Appropriation leaders seem open to suggested in- creases in funding for extractions for adults who already qualify from Medicaid. This increased funding would provide extractions for adults who make up to 19 percent of the poverty level (for 2013 this equates to earning up to $2,183 in income for the year). While this indeed in a very small percentage of the adult population in Missouri, this is nevertheless a very important first step in opening a dialogue regarding the fiscal benefit to possibly fund extractions for a larger percent of the adult population in Missouri in the future. Currently, adult funding for this population only occurs with medically compromised patients.

We continue to work with the various leaders in the House and Senate in hopes of receiving addi- tional funding for increased provider rates for all dental services within the Medicaid program.

LEGISLATIVE CONTACTS

On February 27, the MDA held its annual Legisla- tive Day at the Capitol. I’d like to sincerely thank all the members who attended. The feedback from the legislative meetings was very positive, and support for our legislative agenda continues to grow. This day can be successful only when members choose to participate. Members of the General Assembly want to hear from their con- stituents as to which issues are important to you.

You don’t need to wait for legislative day to make contact with your representative or senator. If you wish to meet with your elected officials in Jefferson City or at home in their districts, please don’t hesitate to contact their office to arrange those meetings. If you need or desire help in mak- ing those meetings, don’t hesitate to contact me at any time.

I will be happy to facilitate these appointments.

I am hopeful as we reach the deadline for adjourn- ment of session, we will have placed several of the pieces of MDA-supported legislation in a good position to achieve passage well prior to the final gaveling and adjournment of this year’s legislative session. f

*Please note that due to publishing deadlines, the legislative status of each piece of legislation is current as of March 8. For up-to-date information regarding the MDA’s legislative package, please go to the MDA’s website or contact me at 573-634-3436, Extension 107.

PATRICK BAKER is the MDA Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Director. Email patrick@modental.org for questions about the MDA Legislative Agenda or other related issues.

Regulations regarding x-ray machine inspections

In January of this year, all offices throughout the state that utilize radiation equip- ment began to receive correspondence from John Langston (Missouri Radiation Control Program, Bureau of Ambulatory Care, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services), which stated in part,

Please note 19 CSR 20-10.050, requiring facilities to have radiation surveys performed by Qualified Experts, will now be actively enforced for all facilities.

While the text of each letter is unique depending on the classification of each office, in general, the language informs each office that all future inspections of radiation machines will need to be coordinated by the specific office and will no longer be performed by the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Previously, the Department coordinated the inspection of the x-ray machines, if an inspection was to occur. The letter indicates that, going forward, the schedul- ing and payment of those inspections would now be the responsibility of each office and with the requirement to use an individual recognized as a “Qualified Expert” in Radiation Safety.

Two initial concerns were raised from our membership with regards to this cor- respondence.

The first was whether enough inspectors existed to facilitate all of the inspections, as required, throughout the state. You can find a list of Qualified Experts online at www.health.mo.gov/safety/radprotection. The number of Qualified Experts grows daily. We are confident that the Department will have enough inspectors to accommodate the inspection load.

The second was in regard to the quality or warranty of service these individuals would provide, which the MDA makes no claim to. Certainly, you may wish to work with an inspector or company with which you have an established rela- tionship, or to contact the company through which your radiation machine was purchased, if that company offers inspection services. However, you should review the state list to ensure such inspectors are recognized as a Qualified Expert by the state.

The MDA will continue to provide any information updates it receives on this mat- ter. If you have additional questions, please contact the MDA office.

ISSUE 2 | MAR/APR 2013 | focus 13