WEST virginia Legislature

2016 regular session

Introduced

Senate Bill 145

By Senator Walters

[Introduced January 13, 2016;
Referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources; and then to the Committee on Finance.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-20a, relating to required coverage for preventative dental care for any  Medicaid-eligible adult who is a recipient of Medicaid benefits; requiring a state plan amendment; and setting forth an application date requirement.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated, §9-5-20a, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

§9-5-20a. Medicaid program; adult preventive dental services.

(a) Any adult enrollee in Medicaid who is eligible for services shall receive coverage for preventative dental measures.  The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources shall seek federal approval to provide these services to all adult enrollees in the Medicaid program who are eligible for services. 

(b) Preventative dental services is defined as treatment designed for the preservation of healthy teeth and gums and the prevention of dental and oral disease. 

(c) Preventative dental services shall include, at a minimum, the following services at the frequency provided in this section:

(1) Complete dental examination by a licensed dentist at least twice per year or more frequently as needed for appropriate dental care as determined by the licensed dentist;

(2) Bite-wing x-rays completed by a licensed dentist or under his or her direction at least once per year or more frequently as needed for appropriate dental care as determined by the licensed dentist;

(3) Teeth cleanings by a licensed dentist or under his or her direction at least twice per year or more frequently as needed for appropriate dental care as determined by the licensed dentist; and

(4) A full mouth x-ray series at least once every three years or more frequently as needed for appropriate dental care as determined by the licensed dentist.

(d) The Secretary shall make an application for any required federal approval to offer the services required by this section by July 1, 2016. 

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require coverage for preventative dental care for any Medicaid eligible adult who is a recipient of Medicaid benefits.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.