Raise the Kansas Medicaid Dental Reimbursement Rates

Thanks to the Kansas Legislature's recent investments in Medicaid dental care, adults are seeing improvements in access to dental care. Over the past few years, significant strides have been made, including adding dental coverage for adults:
 2022: Fillings, crowns, and gum disease care
 2023: Dentures
 2024: Dental exams, x-rays, and cleanings

These investments have already made a real difference in the lives of thousands of Kansans who now have access to essential dental care. However, to ensure that all people with Medicaid coverage can access the care they need, one more critical step remains: they must have access to Medicaid dental providers.

The Medicaid dental provider network

The Kansas Medicaid dental rates are significantly lower than in neighboring Missouri, where a recent rate increase led to a 43% rise in providers participating in the Missouri Medicaid program.

Nearly 40% of Kansas counties have no Medicaid dental providers. Dentists report that low reimbursement rates are the top barrier to becoming Medicaid providers. In Kansas, only 30% of dentists bill Medicaid.

KANSAS MEDICAID DENTAL PROVIDERS - 2023

The barrier for dental offices
Dentists cite low Medicaid rates as the most significant barrier to them participating in the Medicaid program. Rates that are far below private insurance or fee for service rates do not make business sense for dental offices.

Raising reimbursement rates to be consistent with commercial rates will attract more private practices to the Medicaid program, expanding access to dental care for thousands more Kansans.

Share the importance of Medicaid covering basic preventive dental care for adults.

How can I learn more and get involved?
1. Read more in this Medicaid Dental Rates overview.
2. Use these talking points to help share the importance of Medicaid covering basic preventive dental care for adults.
3. Join us in advocating to increase the Medicaid dental rates! Together, we can ensure that everyone covered by Medicaid in Kansas has access to the dental care they need to stay healthy.

Click here to join our list of supporting organizations!