Bill seeks broader dental coverage for Medicaid

Chronic adult dental conditions cost Southern Maryland’s hospitals over $1 million in 2016, recent study finds

A bill introduced by Sen. Thomas M. “Mac” Middleton (D-Charles) would reduce emergency room visits for chronic dental conditions, potentially saving Southern Maryland hospitals hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, although financial analysts say the program would also increase state Medicaid expenditures.

Middleton introduced Senate Bill 284, co-sponsored by Sen. Guy Guzzone (D-Howard)

in January. So far, it has been heard by the Finance Committee, which Middleton chairs, but no further action has been taken on it.

The bill was in part motivated

by a study published by the Maryland Dental Action Coalition that found Medicaid payments to cover emergency department and inpatient visits by adults with dental conditions total around $12 million a year.

The study also found that even though adults who receive Medicaid

make up roughly 15 percent of the state’s population, Medicaid is responsible for paying just over half of the emergency room costs for adult dental care.

“Maryland has become a model for the nation in improving the oral health of children,” Mary Backley, executive director

of the Maryland Dental Action Coalition, said in a press release. “Now we need to do the same for adults.”

A fiscal analysis of the bill’s impact says the state’s Medicaid expenditures would increase by just over $15 million beginning in the 2020 fiscal year, when the program

would take effect, and jump to $31.6 million the following year.

However, Middleton noted that the fiscal analysis does not take into consideration the benefits that would in many cases offset the increase, an argument that he believes is supported by extensive research.

In making the case for the bill, Middleton points out that studies have found that Medicaid spending tends to drop between 31 and 67 percent when adults receive preventive dental care. Managed care organiza-