Sadp Table

Consumers not required to buy health-care plans that include pediatric dental benefits

Feb. 28, 2013
In January, it was reported that pediatric dental coverage could be a mandate of the Affordable Care Act in 2014, but the Department of Health and Human Services has issued clarification on the matter and how it pertains to a Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE), including State Partnership Exchanges.

February 28, 2013

In January, it was reported thatpediatric dental coverage could be a mandate of the Affordable Care Act in 2014, but the Department of Health and Human Services has issued clarification on the matter and how it pertains to a Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE), including State Partnership Exchanges.

Now we know that stand-alone dental plans (SADPs)are only allowed to participate in an Exchange if the plan includes pediatric dental benefits as listed as one of the essential health benefits (EHB). A health plan that does not offer the pediatric dental EHB can still count as a qualified health plan (QHP), eligible for Exchange participation, so long as the Exchange includes at least one SADP.

The HHS has issued a table of the number of issuers in each state that intend to offer stand-alone dental plans (SADPs). The number of SADPs, in the individual and/or small group markets ranges from one to nine.

The American Dental Association issued a news release just yesterday regarding this topic.

Keep following DentistryiQ.com for all of the latest news regarding dental coverage and the Affordable Care Act.

Lauren Burns is the editor of Proofs magazine and the email newsletters RDH Graduate and Proofs. She is currently based out of New York City. Follow her on Twitter: @ellekeid.