This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia regarding Medicaid dental care, specifically by increasing reimbursement rates for dental providers. It defines key terms related to dental services, including "cosmetic services," "diagnostic and preventative services," and "restorative services." The bill mandates that the Department of Human Services extend Medicaid coverage to adults aged 21 and over for diagnostic, preventative, and restorative dental services, with a coverage limit of $2,000 per two-year budget period. Recipients will be responsible for any costs exceeding this limit, and the department is tasked with implementing a comprehensive dental care system that includes oversight and quality assurance measures.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision requiring the Bureau for Medical Services to increase dental-related fees by at least 20 percent by December 1, 2028. It also mandates the Bureau to file a report by December 1, 2027, analyzing Medicaid expenditures related to the dental program, including details on enrollees served and the state and federal shares of expenditures. This legislative effort seeks to enhance dental care access and improve the financial sustainability of dental services under the Medicaid program in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-5-12a