Senator Cardin Raises Concerns About EHB Rule's Treatment of Pediatric Dental Benefits

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) in a Senate Finance Committee hearing today on Delivery System Reform, raised the issue of affordbility with regard to pedatric dental benefits in the new health insurance exchanges, especially in light of the final rule on Essential Health Benefits. Senator Cardin, in a question to Center for Medicare Management Director Jonathan Blum, raised concerns about the rule's provision establishing a separate out-of-pocket limit for stand-alone pediatric dental benefits. Cardin urged CMS to take leadership to ensure the affordbility of this portion of the essential health benefits especially in the states where the federal government will be setting up the exchanges.