The MCOH Model and its Impact on Medicaid Participation
by JESSICA EMMERICH T
he Missouri Coalition for Oral Health (MCOH) has been col- laborating closely with the MDA and MO HealthNet since 2022 to increase dental provider participation in MO Medicaid. Following advocacy efforts, changes were made to Medicaid that reduced barriers for dental providers’ involvement, and the collaboration continues to seek improvements in access to dental care in Missouri.
Recent updates to MO Medicaid include increased reimbursement rates, expansion of services under the limited adult benefit and updated resources for navigating Medicaid. Input from dental providers and coordina- tion with partners have contributed to these positive developments for dental providers.
There has been a steady increase in the number of dental providers participating in Medicaid in Missouri. Since 2022, an additional 737 dental providers have joined MO HealthNet, and more than 81,000 more Medicaid participants have accessed dental services. While overall dental services have increased, the percentage provided at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) has decreased, indicating that many newly enrolled providers are offering services in private practices. Currently, 43 percent of licensed dental providers in Missouri serve Medicaid participants.
Interest in increased Medicaid dental par- ticipation has prompted the establishment and sharing of the MCOH Model with other states and organizations. The MCOH Model consists of three components contributing to recent growth:
• A Targeted Media Campaign to dis- seminate key information about MO Medicaid statewide (MCOH contracted with a local communications firm to deploy this);
ISSUE 3 | FALL 2025 | focus 19
• An MCOH Dental Medicaid Facilitator position to directly support practices by providing education and addressing challenges; and,
• Collaborative work between Missouri Coalition for Oral Health, MDA and MO HealthNet addressed concerns and policy adjustments. This collaborative partnership identified operational and policy challenges and as a result, many of these issues have been addressed.
The Missouri Coalition for Oral Health will continue to use this model and support dental providers. Continued collaboration aims to identify ongoing challenges and offer assistance with navigating MO Medicaid. It is expected that dental provider enrollment and participant access to dental services
will continue to grow. Further updates and details will be available at the 2026 Missouri Oral Health Policy Conference in Jefferson City, March 5-6. All are invited to attend!
Jessica is the MCOH Dental Medicaid Facilitator who supports providers by partnering with MO HealthNet and MDA to assist with provider enrollment and other provider issues. Email her at jemmerich@oralhealthmissouri. org or call/text, 573-536-2474. Visit
oralhealthmissouri.org/mo-healthnetmedicaid to sign up for informational webinars, read Medicaid related news and blogs and download various toolkits and resources. Find Oral Health Policy Conference details on the same website.
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