All health insurers in Massachusetts would have to cover fluoride varnish for patients at moderate to high risk of caries under the terms of a bill proposed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Fluoride varnish has been offered through MassHealth, the state's public health system, by medical providers since 2008. In testimony before the Committee on Financial Services, supporters argued that the varnishes could save the state money by reducing the number of emergency room visits related to caries.
Twenty-four state Medicaid programs now reimburse primary care physicians for fluoride varnish, with 20 of those states requiring primary care providers to undergo training, according to testimony by the bill's author, John Scibak (D-South Hadley).
If Scibak's bill passes, insurers would have to reimburse the following categories of health professionals: "Qualified Physicians, Physician's Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and Licensed Practical Nurses, and Certified Medical Assistants who have met the training requirements outlined by the department of public health."
The Finance Committee has until March 17 to decide whether to pass the bill onto the Ways and Means Committee.
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