Bill > SB2628

This bill expands Medicaid dental service coverage in Texas for recipients 21 years and older, including those with disabilities, by adding reimbursement for dental services that address pain relief, infections, teeth restoration, and overall dental health maintenance. The bill specifically includes preventative and therapeutic services that could prevent acute dental problems or irreversible tooth damage. However, the expansion comes with a unique cost-control mechanism: the Texas Health and Human Services Commission must collect and analyze detailed data about these dental services over three consecutive years, including recipient demographics, service types, and average costs. The Legislative Budget Board will then evaluate whether this expanded coverage increases overall Medicaid spending. If the board determines that the dental services result in higher overall program costs by February 1, 2029, the commission must immediately discontinue the additional dental service reimbursements, and the related sections of the law will expire. Conversely, if no increase in spending is found, only certain sections of the bill will automatically expire. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and allows for potential federal waiver requests if needed for implementation.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB2628