HJAR Sep/Oct 2024

42 SEP / OCT 2024 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS MEDICAID COLUMN MEDICAID SINCE 2018, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) has operated the Medicaid dental programby payingManaged Care of North America (MCNA) and Delta Dental of Arkansas (DDAR) a capitated rate for each beneficiary eligible for dental services. MCNA and DDAR were then responsible for paying for the dental claims for their enrolled beneficiaries. Beginning Nov. 1, the dental programwill return to fee- for-service, meaning dental providers will bill Medicaid directly for the eligible dental services they provide. Beneficiaries will use their Medicaid ID to receive services, not their MCNA or DDAR cards. “After careful consideration of dental service utilization, the total program expenditures, and the work underway to ensure a holistic, efficient, and sustainable Medicaid delivery system for all Arkansans, DHS has determined that fee-for-service for Medicaid dental services is both the best and most cost-effective option at this time,” DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam said. “This change shifts management of the program to the DHS Division of Medical Services (DMS), where we will operate it efficiently and effectively. This transition makes better sense for Arkansas patients, dentists, and taxpayers.” In a letter sent in late May, DHS formally notified the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the plan to sunset the program and to switch back to Medicaid fee-for-service for dental services instead. The letter also includes a month-by-month transition plan for activities leading up to the targeted Nov. 1 start date. DHS notified both companies that currently operate the managed care dental program of the plan. Beneficiaries served by the managed care dental program will continue to be eligible for dental services. In the months leading up to Nov. 1, beneficiaries can expect to continue receiving dental services through DDAR and MCNA and should watch for important communications fromDHS about this program. Beneficiaries who are currently enrolled in fee-for-services will continue to use their Medicaid ID card for all dental services. Dental Managed Care to Medicaid Fee-for-Service: WHAT PROVIDERS NEED TO KNOW