BITES&BRIEFS
Historic Missouri Dental Medicaid Rate Increase Passes This Session
Medicaid provider rate increases in our state’s history. Reimbursement rates for MO HealthNet dental providers for the 2023 Fiscal Year will be 80 percent of the 50th percentile of 2022 UCR rates, which means 80 percent of the average 2022 fees for codes in a particular area. Just like other legisla- tion, the budget goes to the Governor for his final signature. He has the power to veto certain items, but we are confident these items will stay.
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In plain speak, this means rates for Medicaid will be more in line with those reimbursed by private insurance. Traditionally, the Managed Care companies that contract with the State of Missouri to offer Medicaid must also abide by the minimum floor set by the State; therefore, it is likely their rates also will increase to this level. These new rates will go into effect July 1 of this year. We look forward to learning more about the fee schedules from MO HealthNet in the coming months. “This is a huge victory for dentistry in Missouri,” said Vicki Wilbers, MDA Executive Director. “It was built on decades of members’ persistence and advocacy. I can’t thank each of them, and the many oral healthcare advocates, enough.”
With this Medicaid increase, we are sure there will be considerations by dentists to become new providers in the Medicaid system and likely many questions ahead. Look for more infor- mation and resources to be forthcoming. In the meantime, ADA CE Online has an on-demand course that may be helpful if you are considering becoming a Medicaid provider: The Ins, Outs and In-Between: How Dental Medicaid Works and How It Can Work for You. Access it at
ebusiness.ada.org/education/viewcourse.aspx?id=636. SEE PAGE 16 FOR A FULL SESSION RECAP.
e are thrilled to share that on Friday, May 6, the Missouri General Assembly gave approval to one of the largest
MDA Welcoming New Team Member in June
The MDA is pleased to welcome Halie (Dampf) Payne to our team as MDA Director of Professional Affairs. This is a senior level management position assisting with all MDA legislative and regulatory relationships and activities, including advocacy and dental practice management areas. Most recent Halie was Director of Communications for Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe. She’ll officially join the MDA as of June 1. We welcome Halie and look forward to her being a great addition. We also congratulate her, as she was married to Kaleb Payne on May 7.
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his past spring the MDA en- tered a pilot project with ADA and
WorkerBee.TV to develop
two new platforms to assist MDA with the digital transformation that is happening everywhere and defines the way the current generation of new members consume content and connect with colleagues. This migration is essential for MDA’s future viability. And it offers new, more varied, and more personal ways to create non-dues revenue with our valued partners. The first platform is calledMoDental On Demand. Think of it as an MDA YouTube channel and gathering place for member dentists to watch easy-to-consume videos on any topic from explaining a key legislative update to a prize drawing. Our efforts are to create desired content and drive traffic. The second platform is called the Solutions Center. This acts in part as a year-round exhibit hall for business partners, but more importantly allows them to create educational content to help members address spe- cific needs. It’s a living, evolving space! Look for these platforms as each rolls out this summer!
12 focus | MAY/JUN 2022 | ISSUE 3
SAVE THE DATE
Dental Day at the Capitol details to be announced
FEBRUARY 1 Virtual Town Hall MARCH 1
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