DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 172 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Butler
Abstract: Requires the state Medicaid program to provide dental coverage for certain adults with
developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Proposed law requires the La. Department of Health (LDH) to ensure that comprehensive Medicaid
coverage for dental care is provided to each person of age 21 or older who is enrolled in any
Medicaid waiver program for persons with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Provides that
for purposes of proposed law, "comprehensive Medicaid coverage for dental care" means Medicaid
coverage which reimburses for dental and oral health services including all of the following:
(1)Diagnostic services.
(2)Preventive services.
(3)Restorative services.
(4)Endodontics.
(5)Periodontics.
(6)Prosthodontics.
(7)Oral and maxillofacial surgery.
(8)Orthodontics.
(9)Emergency care.
Proposed law provides that LDH shall not furnish any coverage required by proposed law until all
of the following have occurred:
(1)The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved the provision of such
coverage.
(2)The legislature has appropriated the funding necessary for the provision of such coverage.
Proposed law requires LDH to take all such actions as are necessary to make the coverage required by proposed law available to all persons eligible for such coverage on or before July 1, 2022.
(Adds R.S. 40:1250.31 and 1250.32)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill:
1. Delete proposed law requiring coverage for dental care for Medicaid enrollees age 21 and
up who reside in an intermediate care facility for people with developmental disabilities.
2. Stipulate that the Medicaid coverage for dental care provided for in proposed law shall
be comprehensive Medicaid coverage for dental care.
3. Provide that for purposes of proposed law, "comprehensive Medicaid coverage for dental
care" means Medicaid coverage which reimburses for dental and oral health services
including all of the following:
(a)Diagnostic services.
(b)Preventive services.
(c)Restorative services.
(d)Endodontics.
(e)Periodontics.
(f)Prosthodontics.
(g)Oral and maxillofacial surgery.
(h)Orthodontics.
(i)Emergency care.
4. Prohibit the La. Department of Health from furnishing any coverage required by
proposed law until all of the following have occurred:
(a)The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved the provision of
such coverage.
(b)The legislature has appropriated the funding necessary for the provision of such
coverage.