Exchanges and Dental Coverage: Building on an Employer Base

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires insurers providing coverage through the newly established Exchanges to offer pediatric dental coverage as part of the Essential Benefits Package. Child advocates have applauded this provision because this law will allow nearly all legally residing children to have access to dental coverage. However, for most policymakers, little is known about the the potential impact of the ACA on individuals eligible for dental coverage in the private dental insurance market. This issue brief provides a brief overview of private dental coverage, who currently has coverage and how they obtain it, and considers the possible impact of ACA on employer sponsored dental benefits.

To read this brief in its entirety, please click on the above attached PDF.