Texas Dentists for Medicaid Reform

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Latest TDMR Research and Articles

UPDATE: New RFP Out – Say What? Dental RFP Canceled by HHSC Over Proposal Problems

UPDATE: Christine Mann, the Press Officer at HHSC, has informed us that new RFP is out as of yesterday.  The information is below and is available at http://www.txsmartbuy.com/sp/HHS0002879 Medicaid CHIP Dental Status: Addendum Posted Solicitation ID:   HHS0002879 Response Due Date: 11/30/2018 Response Due Time: 2:00 PM Agency Number: 529 Days Solicited: 21+ Days for Solicitation Notice Solicitation Posting Date: 10/1/2018 Last Modified: 10/2/2018 1:59 pm Solicitation Description: The State of Texas, by and through the Texas Health and Human … [Read More...]

HHS Looking for Feedback on Proposed Rules

Texas Health and Human Services as a government body develops "rules" to implement laws passed by state and federal legislators.   Their website states that "to be good stewards of the public trust, HHS takes into account stakeholder input when rules are being written or updated to ensure interested parties have a chance to contribute to the … [Read More...]

Lifetime Limitation for Restorations and Stainless Steel Crowns

Back in August, a notice appeared on the TMHP website that Texas Medicaid was going to impose a lifetime limit for restorations and stainless steel crowns on September 1. Lifetime limits The notice said: Effective for dates of service on or after September 1, 2018, lifetime limitations for restorations and stainless steel crowns will change … [Read More...]

Dentist Quits MCNA in Disgust Over $33,000 Recoup Demand

From time to time, TDMR receives correspondence from dentists expressing their frustration and anger with one or both of the current DMOs managing Texas Medicaid. Last week, we received an email from a dental provider about a recoupment demand made by MCNA.  Apparently, it took the company three years to review the documents he had sent them per … [Read More...]

TDA Weighs in on DMO RFP and Capitation

In the last edition of TDA Today, the Texas Dental Association goes to bat for dental Medicaid providers on two issues. First, the publication reported that the TDA's Council on Public Health and Access to Care met with HHSC (HHSC, HHS; tomato, tomahto) reps from the Quality Oversight, Finance and the Medicaid/CHIP Services Department.  They … [Read More...]

Valley Providers Heap Scorn on Medicaid Managed Care

The Statesman published an article this morning about the scathing testimony heard by the House Committee on Human Services, chaired by Rep. Richard Peña Raymond, at a special hearing held yesterday in Edinburg. Wanted public and provider feedback on managed care The Committee traveled to the Valley to hear testimony from Medicaid providers … [Read More...]

Surprise! Medicaid Dental Reimbursement Rates Drop by 2.5% on September 1

You just found out about this? So did we. Just learned of it TDMR learned of it about 10 days ago when a provider gave us a copy of a letter they received from DentaQuest dated July 27 but received in their office August 13.  It announced a 2.5% reduction on dental codes from D2140 to D9999 that was approved at a "recent" HHSC rate hearing.  … [Read More...]

New Executive Commissioner of Texas Health and Human Services Chosen

By Marissa Evans, The Texas Tribune Aug. 23, 2018 Courtney Phillips is the new executive commissioner for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday. Phillips is currently the chief executive officer for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. She starts her role as commissioner Oct. … [Read More...]

Comments about Dental Medicaid: Rep. Richard Peña Raymond

TDMR recently reached out to Rep. Richard Peña Raymond, chair of the House Human Services Committee to get his views on the current scene and the future of dental Medicaid in Texas. Supporter of dental Medicaid Raymond has been a major force for dental Medicaid providers. It was before his … [Read More...]

Texas Medicaid Dental Provider Forum NOW OPEN

Medicaid dental providers apparently want an online forum to securely discuss mutual problems with Texas Medicaid and DMOs.  Some 92% of those taking our survey answered a resounding "yes" to having such a forum. Comments Here are some of the comments left by those answering the survey. "IT CAN BE … [Read More...]

Dentists Comment About DMO Problems & Request for Proposals

Since our recent stories about the new dental RFP for Medicaid and DentaQuest's capitation payment move, TDMR has received several emails from dental providers about their concerns over the RFP choices and provider lack of power against such large companies. Comments from dental providers Number … [Read More...]