Consumers not required to buy health-care plans that include pediatric dental benefits

February 28, 2013

In January, it was reported thatpediatric dental coverage could be a mandate of the Affordable Care Act in 2014, but the Department of Health and Human Services has issued clarification on the matter and how it pertains to a Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE), including State Partnership Exchanges.

Now we know that stand-alone dental plans (SADPs)are only allowed to participate in an Exchange if the plan includes pediatric dental benefits as listed as one of the essential health benefits (EHB). A health plan that does not offer the pediatric dental EHB can still count as a qualified health plan (QHP), eligible for Exchange participation, so long as the Exchange includes at least one SADP.

The HHS has issued a table of the number of issuers in each state that intend to offer stand-alone dental plans (SADPs). The number of SADPs, in the individual and/or small group markets ranges from one to nine.

The American Dental Association issued a news release just yesterday regarding this topic.

Keep following DentistryiQ.com for all of the latest news regarding dental coverage and the Affordable Care Act.