Medicaid innovators are paving the way for state changes in dental Medicaid (2006)

(A 2006 report by Meg Booth, MPH, and Burton Edelstein, DDS, MPH)

The current momentum to modernize Medicaid may be catching on in the states. What does this mean for children’s access to dental services? It isn’t completely clear yet, but trends are emerging from the early adopters and those in the planning phase.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance for Medicaid Transformation grants to states. The grants, authorized by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), are available to assist states to, “fund research and design ways to transform their Medicaid systems and to increase the quality and efficiency of care.” This federal funding gives states the financial incentive to investigate new strategies for serving Medicaid populations.