Bill > SB1014

This bill aims to increase reimbursement rates for dental providers who serve individuals covered by Medicaid, West Virginia's state health insurance program for low-income residents. The bill acknowledges that current reimbursement rates make it difficult for dentists to cover their costs, especially given recent inflation, and that a 2021 expansion of adult dental benefits, funded by a tax on health maintenance organizations (HMOs), has been in place. It also clarifies that Medicaid dental benefits are a partnership between state and federal funds, with the federal government covering 75% of the costs. The bill mandates that by December 1, 2028, the Bureau for Medical Services, a state agency responsible for administering Medicaid services, must raise dental-related fees by at least 20%. This action is intended to address the financial challenges faced by dental providers and improve access to dental care for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=1014&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill