One in five people on Medi-Cal health insurance does not use their dental benefits, so the California Department of Health Care Services is spreading the word.
The state reinstated full dental for adults on Medi-Cal in 2018 after cutting it in 2009, so some people may not even know they have coverage.
Dana Durham, dental division chief for the California Department of Health Care Services, explained the benefits people can claim.
“Full-scope Medi-Cal dental services includes checkups, cleanings and X-rays, fillings, root canals, and crowns, dentures, braces for qualifying children, emergency care,” Durham outlined.
More than 15 million Californians depend on Medi-Cal, including three in seven children in the state but fewer than half of the kids actually see a dentist. Families can find a participating dentist on the website SmileCalifornia.org. Due to budget cuts, undocumented adults who qualify for Medi-Cal will lose dental benefits, except for emergency services, starting in July of next year.
Donny Shiu, vision program chief for the department, noted Medi-Cal started offering full vision coverage in 2022, which includes a routine eye exam and eyeglasses every 24 months.
“Medi-Cal is addressing these key social drivers of health,” Shiu emphasized. “The ability to see clearly is impactful for low-income adults, seniors, and people with disability who may otherwise go without their vision care.”
Vision benefits also cover tests and treatment for glaucoma and macular degeneration, and even artificial eyes for people who lose an eye.
In other news:
Tips for navigating CA health plans during open enrollment
Many Californians are narrowing down their choice of health insurance plan, just in time for open enrollment, and experts have recommendations to help avoid missteps.
A new survey shows 43% of people say they regret a health care decision they made after being misled by inaccurate information.
Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said her biggest piece of advice is to start your research now, using reputable sources.
“This is an important decision for your health and financial health,” Randall stressed. “You want to have enough time to compare the benefits, services, the up front and out-of-pocket costs, and new offerings that may be available to you.”
She added people need to make sure their physician is on the plan and it covers their medications. It is also important to consider not just the monthly premium but the amounts of deductibles, co-pays and coinsurance.
Explanations of terminology and more are online at JustPlainClear.com and MedicareMadeClear.com. Medicare open enrollment is now through Dec. 7. Private employers usually allow changes for several weeks before the end of the year.
People on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, known here as “CoveredCA,” can enroll or change plans from Nov. 1 until Jan. 31.
Jessica Altman, executive director of CoveredCA, said nearly two million Californians on the Affordable Care Act individual marketplace plans are likely to face a huge increase in costs unless Congress renews the tax credits due to expire this year.
“We’re looking at the tax credits getting much less generous,” Altman pointed out. “Premiums themselves are rising more than they would otherwise, because of the instability caused by those tax credits expiring. What that equates to is an average of 97% increase, basically doubling.”
The credits are a key sticking point in the current government shutdown. Democrats in Congress are demanding action to extend the credits before they agree to fund the government, something Republicans have rejected.
