NADP Advocates for Improved Access to Dental Benefits and Care
20 Mayo 2024 - 5:00PM
Improving access to dental benefits and care was the main objective
of Advocacy in Action, the National Association of Dental Plans
(NADP) annual Congressional fly-in for the dental benefits
industry, May 7-9 in Washington, D.C. Below is a summary of two key
issues that were addressed.
Issue #1: Independent Purchase of Dental
Benefits (S.2771, H.R. 1671)NADP members
pushed for Congressional support in directing the Secretary of the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to implement a
technical fix on Healthcare.gov. The fix would enable consumers to
purchase dental benefits without first having to purchase medical
coverage. Currently, there are no statutory limitations preventing
DHHS from giving consumers the ability to purchase only dental
coverage.
The current technical design of the Marketplaces
links medical and dental enrollment functions on HealthCare.gov,
preventing the independent purchase of dental coverage. The ability
to purchase only dental benefits on the Marketplaces would expand
coverage opportunities for more consumers, including those who have
medical coverage through other means such as their employer,
Medicare, or a pension plan.
Marketplaces allow consumers to compare certified
standalone dental plans (SADPs), which provide vital coverage for
oral health services. Studies continually show that individuals and
families are more likely to visit the dentist and seek critical
preventive services, such as cleanings, when they have dental
coverage. Preventive dental care reduces the likelihood of
emergency room visits for treatment of abscesses and cavities,
reducing the burden on hospitals. It also reduces the need for more
expensive dental procedures and costly medical complications,
holding down health care costs.
Thirteen state-based marketplaces currently allow
for the independent purchase of dental plans. Without this
capacity, 20 million Americans with medical coverage who lack
dental coverage are denied the ability to comparison-shop and
purchase dental plans that meet extra regulatory requirements and
are “qualified” to be sold on the Marketplace. State health
officials have cited the ability to purchase dental-only coverage
in the Marketplaces as an important means for the expansion of
dental coverage in their state.
“NADP commends our members for advancing our
mission to improve access to affordable, quality dental care in 77
meetings with Congressional leaders and their staff,” said Board
Chair Donna Hunter, United Concordia Dental.
Issue #2: Non-Covered Services S.1424, H.R.
1385NADP members opposed a non-covered services (NCS)
bill, Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access, which would
diminish the value of patients’ dental coverage by increasing their
out-of-pocket expenses. This would happen because patients would
not be charged the lower, negotiated price for dental services
after they exceed plan limitations.
About NADPNational Association of
Dental Plans (NADP), a Texas nonprofit corporation with
headquarters in Dallas, is the representative and recognized
resource of the dental benefits industry. NADP is the only trade
organization that includes the full spectrum of dental benefits
companies operating in the United States. NADP members provide
Dental HMO, Dental PPO, Dental Indemnity and Dental Savings Plan
products to more than 200 million Americans.
CONTACT:Michael AdelbergNADP Executive
Director(972) 457-1554madelberg@nadp.org