Colo. adds adult dental Medicaid coverage

Colorado adults on Medicaid now have dental coverage, including an annual benefit of up to $1,000 in dental services. Previously, only emergency dental services were covered, according to Oral Health Colorado.

The benefit enables adults age 21 and older on Medicaid to get cleanings, minor fillings, and diagnostic imaging services. It is being implemented in two phases:

• As of this past April, basic adult dental preventive, diagnostic, and minor restorative dental services (such as x-rays and minor fillings) and treatment planning are covered.
• Beginning in July, more comprehensive adult services such as root canals, crowns, partial dentures, periodontal scaling, and root planing (and other procedures requiring prior authorization) will be covered.

Legislators have also included funding for complete dentures with prior authorization in the 2014-2015 state budget.