Maine Bill Would Expand Dental Insurance Coverage
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The Maine Legislature's Insurance and Financial Services Committee is hosting a work session today on a bill that would require dental and health insurers in Maine to cover procedures performed by independently practicing dental hygienists.
LD 234, "An Act To Expand Access to Oral Health Care" would affect all plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2010.
"Last year we passed a bill that allowed Dental Hygienists to practice as Independent Practice Dental Hygienists (IPDH)," the bills sponsor, Representative Pat Jones (District 83 -- Belgrade, Fayette, Manchester, Mt. Vernon, Vienna) said in her written testimony. "These practitioners can provide independent dental hygiene services: cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, education and referrals and are licensed through the Maine Board of Dental Examiners."
"To assure that Mainers have access to the IPDHs, patients with dental insurance need to have services paid through their insurance," Jones said.
Photo credit, Flickr user "Wolfiewolf," CC 2.0.
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Interesting Concept
A potentially innovative concept that could positively impact access to care. Unfortunately, many state and federal programs restrict dental care coverage. However, health care reform has yielded innovative ways to provide broader dental coverage to employees and their families through FSA's and HSA's.
Individuals should investigate these options as a means to use pre-tax contributions to pay for dental care.
Lots of exciting new ways to provide greater access. We applaud the state for "thinking outside the box."