In a surprising move, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) announced this week that it is ending its Medicaid managed care dental program and transitioning back to a fee-for-service model starting November 1, 2024. This move from contracting with managed care dental insurers like Delta Dental and MCNA, with which the state agency is currently contracted, to administer Medicaid dental benefits could have ripple effects in other states, including Texas.
Arkansas’s managed care model has been in place since 2018, with the state paying Delta and MCNA a capitation premium rate per Medicaid beneficiary to provide dental services. However, the state agency determined that directly paying dentists on a fee-for-service basis will be “the best and most cost-effective option” going forward. Amazing.
DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam stated the change will allow the agency to “operate [the dental program] efficiently and effectively” and “make better sense for Arkansas patients, dentists, and taxpayers.”
If this transition works for Arkansas, Texas could reconsider its Medicaid-managed care dental arrangements. This is bad news for DentaQuest, MCNA, and UnitedHealthcare.
The Arkansas transition plan notes that the change will be “seamless” for beneficiaries, who can continue receiving care from their same dentists through the fall. However, the impact on provider networks, reimbursement rates, and administrative costs remains to be seen.
An interesting situation.
Congratulations! Clever Decision. TEXAS should be the next one to move in that direction for the best of its patients, dentists, and taxpayers.
Congratulations!
New Mexico should be the next one to move in that direction for the best of its patients, dentists, and taxpayers.
Congratulations! New Mexico should be the next one to move in that direction for the best of its patients, dentists, and taxpayers.