Throughout the state, dental schools, individual dentists and nonprofits have sought to address the need for routine services like cleanings. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services even offers a dental program for low-income Illinoisans in need of dental care.
But things get much more complicated when the situation involves a child in need of a procedure that goes beyond just routine care, particularly if it requires anesthesia.
Until recently, reimbursements for dental anesthesia had been limited to dentists only. Now, however, a policy change in how Illinois’ Medicaid program does its billing will open up reimbursements to more providers, making these services more accessible for low-income Illinoisans.
Medical anesthesiologists and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) will now be eligible for reimbursement for dental anesthesia. These personnel do much of the work in certain clinics, ambulatory surgical treatment centers and hospital outpatient settings.
This change means that the services of these facilities will now be accessible to many more low-income Illinoisans without the risk of facing a large bill for anesthesia.
It comes on the heels of a dental rate increase which was part of the Medicaid omnibus bill. The legislation included a 33% rate increase for sedation evaluation, deep sedation and IV sedation services that would ultimately ensure greater access to deep sedation and IV sedation dentistry services throughout the state.
Rep. Bill Hauter is a board-certified specialist in Emergency Medicine and Anesthesiology at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, specializing in pediatric and adult cardiac anesthesia. He is also a member of the state’s Medicaid Working Group which is looking for ways to improve the state’s delivery of health care to low-income residents.
“I have been working to increase access for pediatric dental care,” Hauter said. “Often a huge barrier for needed dental procedures on children is the lack of anesthesia availability and minimal reimbursement.”
Hauter said this may not be a glamorous issue, but it is one of great importance.
“I’m excited that more kids will get dental and safe anesthesia care.”
For more information on the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ dental programs, please click here.
But things get much more complicated when the situation involves a child in need of a procedure that goes beyond just routine care, particularly if it requires anesthesia.
Until recently, reimbursements for dental anesthesia had been limited to dentists only. Now, however, a policy change in how Illinois’ Medicaid program does its billing will open up reimbursements to more providers, making these services more accessible for low-income Illinoisans.
Medical anesthesiologists and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) will now be eligible for reimbursement for dental anesthesia. These personnel do much of the work in certain clinics, ambulatory surgical treatment centers and hospital outpatient settings.
This change means that the services of these facilities will now be accessible to many more low-income Illinoisans without the risk of facing a large bill for anesthesia.
It comes on the heels of a dental rate increase which was part of the Medicaid omnibus bill. The legislation included a 33% rate increase for sedation evaluation, deep sedation and IV sedation services that would ultimately ensure greater access to deep sedation and IV sedation dentistry services throughout the state.
Rep. Bill Hauter is a board-certified specialist in Emergency Medicine and Anesthesiology at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, specializing in pediatric and adult cardiac anesthesia. He is also a member of the state’s Medicaid Working Group which is looking for ways to improve the state’s delivery of health care to low-income residents.
“I have been working to increase access for pediatric dental care,” Hauter said. “Often a huge barrier for needed dental procedures on children is the lack of anesthesia availability and minimal reimbursement.”
Hauter said this may not be a glamorous issue, but it is one of great importance.
“I’m excited that more kids will get dental and safe anesthesia care.”
For more information on the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ dental programs, please click here.