Massachusetts lawmakers have included funding to restore partial adult dental coverage for the state's 800,000 Medicaid recipients in a budget proposal.
The new coverage -- which insures adult recipients' front teeth only -- prompted praise from some healthcare advocates, but drew pointed criticism from oral health providers because it excludes back teeth, according to a story in the Boston Globe.
Lawmakers argue that expanding coverage to recipients' front teeth, which will cost the state about $6 million, will enhance their appearance and help them find jobs. The coverage will include the 12 incisors and canines but excludes molars and premolars.
Restoring full dental coverage to Medicaid recipients would have cost the state about $50 million.
The budget compromise sent to Gov. Deval Patrick includes about $12.66 billion in MassHealth funding, a 4.5% increase from this year's funding levels. The funding is $40 million less than the amount included in Patrick's original budget proposal in January.
