• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Health / Medicine / Reforming dental care for Medicaid patients

Reforming dental care for Medicaid patients

April 21, 2008 By WRN Contributor

The Wisconsin Dental Association is calling for changes in how the state reimburses its members for providing care to low-income patients.

A recent audit found an HMO-based reimbursement plan used in Southeastern Wisconsin is costing the state more than expected. As a result, fewer dentists are participating and Medicaid patients can't access care. The audit found a nearly 31-percent drop in the number of dentists accepting Medicaid patients over a five year period.

The HMO system is used in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Racine counties. The rest of the state is on a fee-for-service reimbursement system for Medicaid dental patients.

Wisconsin Dental Association President Dr. Monica Hebl says the system needs to change, in order to make sure patients have access to care in a safe and high quality manner. Hebl says the state should increasing funding for dental care and pay dentists for services they actually provide.

State Medicaid program director Jason Helgerson says changes will be considered. However, Helgerson says the state budget crunch could put major reforms on hold.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 :59)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Health / Medicine



Featured Stories

Brewers to open season with fans

Report: Former Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to sign with Brewers

Seven Badgers honored by the WCHA

Panthers rally to upset Wright State in Horizon League quarterfinals

Jokic leads Denver in rout of the Bucks

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Big Ten Men’s & Women’s basketball Tournaments to Allow Limited Fan Attendance

Brewers to open season with fans

Report: Former Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to sign with Brewers

Seven Badgers honored by the WCHA

Panthers rally to upset Wright State in Horizon League quarterfinals

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC