First-Of-Its Kind Analysis Reveals Impact Redetermination Process Will Have on Access to Dental Health Care and Oral Health Equity
A new analysis from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® — a leading national nonprofit focused on creating a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health system — reveals that more than 14 million people across the country may lose dental coverage under the Medicaid redetermination process that began on April 1.
As the expiration of the national COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11 approaches, states are required to begin conducting eligibility redeterminations and un-enrolling individuals determined to no longer be eligible for their state’s Medicaid program.
Approximately 15 million people are expected to lose their health coverage as a result. But until now, little to no data has been reported about how many people are expected to lose dental coverage as well. The new analysis released by CareQuest Institute shows that 28% of the country’s adult population currently enrolled in Medicaid may lose dental coverage.
As people are removed from Medicaid coverage and seek to secure coverage through other programs or the private market, there is no guarantee that they will find or be able to afford coverage that includes dental benefits. This gap will likely have a greater impact on families of lower incomes and people of color.
“This new analysis illustrates the concerning impact that the Medicaid redetermination process will have on oral health equity for millions of people across our nation, especially in some of the most marginalized populations,” said CareQuest Institute for Oral Health CEO and President Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBA. “We cannot walk back the incredible progress made to strengthen Medicaid dental coverage and connect more people with care in recent years. Access to oral health is critical to good overall health and well-being.”
Poor oral health has a direct link to a person’s overall health — including greater risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, dementia, mental health, and adverse birth outcomes. It has also been shown that regular preventive dental care significantly saves overall medical and dental care costs. For example, one recent study found that diabetics who were treated for periodontal disease saw their overall health care costs decrease by 12 to 14 percent. In addition, as states grapple with the high costs of emergency room visits, access to preventive dental care has been shown to reduce emergency room visits by patients due to oral health problems.
As community and state organizations support impacted Medicaid enrollees navigating this redetermination process, the importance of oral health must be elevated and help must be provided to people needing to find new coverage options that include dental benefits.
