December 20, 2013 — Almost half a million Coloradans are expected to gain dental benefits under Medicaid by 2016, but they’ll have a hard time finding a dentist to treat them, according to a study by the Colorado Health Institute.
Policy changes scheduled for next year will increase dental care for Medicaid recipients in the state, but many counties don’t have dentists who accept Medicaid, according to the study authors.
Colorado lawmakers voted this year to expand Medicaid’s dental benefits to adults. The change will go into effect about the same time as the state expands Medicaid coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to those who make slightly more than the federal poverty level…