Measure reimbursing dentists, docs for Medicaid treatment advances

Doctors and dentists who treat low-income Utah children and adults got a boost Monday from a legislative committee.

On a 4-1 vote, the House Health and Human Services Committee passed out HB24, sponsored by Rep. Steve Mascaro, R-West Jordan.

The bill increases reimbursement rates for dentists who treat children on Medicaid, the joint federal/state health insurance for the poor and disabled, as well as doctors who provide services to both children and adults.

With a $5.8 million fiscal note, HB24 would appropriate $4.3 million in ongoing funds to physicians and $1.5 million to dentists — a 10 percent increase from the current rate for the latter category.

Medical providers, and dentists in particular, have often told lawmakers that the state's low Medicaid reimbursement rates have essentially prevented them from treating poor patients.