An Act To Increase the Use of Dental Services by MaineCare-eligible Children

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3174-S, sub-§§5 and 6  are enacted to read:

Sec. 2. Pilot program to increase use of dental services by MaineCare-eligible children. The Department of Health and Human Services, through the department’s office of MaineCare services, in cooperation with the dental care community, shall establish a pilot program to increase the use of dental services by MaineCare-eligible children. The office shall examine the report prepared pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3174-S, subsection 6 to identify for participation in the pilot program MaineCare-eligible children who have not received dental services in the previous year. The pilot program must:

1. Work with the dental care community to identify appropriate providers;

2. Assist in arranging treatment for children who have not received dental services that are in the report; and

3. Employ an oral health coordinator who assists the MaineCare caseworkers in providing the services to eligible children.

Sec. 3. Report. The Department of Health and Human Services shall submit a report, including findings and recommendations, on the pilot program under section 2 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters no later than November 5, 2014. The joint standing committee may report out a bill related to the report to the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.

summary

This bill amends the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3174-S to require the Department of Health and Human Services to include in its annual report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters the number of MaineCare-eligible children who receive dental services annually and what services they are provided and also to report quarterly to the Commissioner of Health and Human Services the names of MaineCare-eligible children from birth to 20 years of age who are not receiving dental services. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services, through the department's office of MaineCare services in cooperation with the dental care community, to design a pilot program to increase the use of dental services by MaineCare-eligible children. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a report regarding the pilot program to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters no later than November 5, 2014. The joint standing committee may report out a bill to the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.