How did we get here?  

Throughout 2023, Kentucky Youth Advocates and the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition have monitored the adult Medicaid dental benefit expansion, summarizing the progression of this issue:  

  • October 2022 – Governor Beshear announces expanded dental benefits for adults on Medicaid including restorative treatment like fillings, crowns, implants, and dentures to begin in 2023. 
  • January 2023 – The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) files emergency regulations to begin offering these benefits, including a rate increase for providers. 
  • February 2023 – The Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee (ARRS) finds the regulations to be deficient. SB 65 is filed to rescind the regulations.  
  • March 2023 – SB 65 becomes law, following a veto-override from the legislature.  
  • April 2023 – New regulations are filed by CHFS to reinstate the expanded dental benefits.  
  • May 2023 – CHFS accepting public comments on the new regulations – only positive comments were received. ARRS finds the new regulations deficient.  
  • August 2023 – ARRS hears the new regulations again, no action taken.

What’s next?  

Despite the deficiency finding in May, the regulations are currently active and Medicaid recipients are eligible for the expanded dental benefits. Kentucky Youth Advocates and KOHC will continue to monitor this regulation and provide updates to membership and oral health stakeholders.

Read and watch the full testimony shared by KOHC and Dr. Kayla Fields, a dentist in Southeastern Kentucky and a KOHC member, at the ARRS Committee meeting on 8/8/2023. 

The need for comprehensive dental benefits is well-established in the Commonwealth, which ranks in the bottom five on several oral health indicators and has more adults over age 65 with no natural teeth than any other state.The proposed regulation we are discussing today aims to address the lack of treatment options for adults by adding covered services to provide restoration options, such as fillings, dental implants, and dentures, in addition to ensuring two cleanings per year, which is in line with the recommended dental visit schedule. We believe the expansion of Medicaid dental services for adults is an important first step to improving the oral health and overall health of our population in Kentucky.

– Alicia Whatley, Policy and Advocacy Director at Kentucky Youth Advocates, the backbone organization of the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition

Our patients need expanded coverage for services like dentures, as we are aware of the impact having a healthy, beautiful smile has on an individual’s confidence and well-being. It’s very rewarding, as a provider, to know you have helped someone reenter the workforce or advance in their career. It’s very rewarding to know that your patient isn’t paranoid to smile and feels more comfortable in social settings. So far, we have completed or are in the process of completing over 78 cases. This is 78 people edentulism can’t hold back anymore.

– Dr. Kayla Fields, dental director for Grace Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center serving Southeastern Kentucky

Have questions about coverage? Visit chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms to contact the Department for Medicaid Services or contact your MCO directly.