To align with holistic and integrated health, the Health Care Authority (HCA) has added pediatric dental topics to the newly created Pediatric Health listserv. Last month, HCA announced the creation of this new listserv to ensure providers who offer services to children and youth receive updates specific to pediatric policy and program updates.
To stay informed on pediatric projects, including pediatric dental health topics, subscribe to the Pediatric Health topic.
- Dental rates: Effective January 1, 2023, per ESSB 5693, a number of dental rates for ages 0 to 20 will be increased. The fund allocation formula can be found on page 311 of ESSB 5693. HCA will post the final fee schedule on January 1, 2023.
- Referral tool: HCA and Arcora Foundation, the foundation of Delta Dental of Washington, have partnered to provide DentistLink (DentistLink.org), a free referral service for anyone in Washington to connect with a dental provider within their area. The referral service is web-based. However, referral specialists are available to personally connect those needing additional assistance.
- Oral health training for primary care providers: Arcora Foundation’s MouthMatters program provides training to primary care providers in the delivery of oral evaluation, fluoride varnish, and family oral health education for Medicaid eligible children ages 0-5 and kids 0-12 who have a disability identified with a Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) indicator. For more information, please contact Madlen Caplow at mcaplow@arcorafoundation.org or (206) 473-9542.
Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) / MouthMatters Program: The Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD)/MouthMatters program was established to increase access to dental services for Medicaid-eligible clients ages 0-5 and kids 0-12 who have a disability identified with a DDA indicator. HCA pays enhanced fees only to ABCD dental providers and MouthMatters medical providers (i.e., ARNPs, physicians and PAs) for furnishing ABCD/MouthMatters services.