Minnesota Senate Bill SF2770

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/9/23
• Refer: 3/9/23

Caption

Commissioner of human services requirement to establish a dental home pilot project

Impact

This bill's implementation is slated for July 1, 2024, and will lead to various enhancements in the dental care framework provided by the state. The anticipated results from this pilot are significant as they may determine the viability of extending similar frameworks to the broader population of dental care providers. The Commissioner will be responsible for developing criteria and performance measures to evaluate how well these objectives are being met, thereby directly influencing state health care regulations and practices regarding dental services.

Summary

SF2770 is a legislative proposal requiring the Commissioner of Human Services to establish a dental home pilot project aimed at improving access to dental care for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees. The bill outlines specific criteria for the project, focusing on enhancing patient experience and improving clinical oral health outcomes while ensuring the financial sustainability of the dental workforce and systemic delivery of care. The pilot project is expected to offer comprehensive, patient-centered, and coordinated oral health services, including virtual care options.

Contention

While the bill has the potential to enhance oral health access significantly, it might also face scrutiny regarding the operational specifics and the effectiveness of its value-based payment strategies. Stakeholders such as dental professionals and health equity advocates may voice their concerns about the representation of diverse provider types and the accessibility of the services across various demographic groups, especially individuals with disabilities. The ensuing discussions around the bill may focus on the adequacy of the proposed appropriations and whether the pilot's findings can justify broader changes to state dental policies.