Child Oral Health
FEATURED ARTICLE
State Strategies to Incorporate Oral Health into Medicaid Payment and Delivery Models for People with Chronic Medical Conditions
/in Policy Alabama, Missouri, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington Reports Child Oral Health, Chronic and Complex Populations, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Coverage and Access, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Managed Care, Oral Health /by Amy Clary, Carrie Hanlon and Najeia MentionState health policymakers know oral health is an essential component of overall health and well-being, but state Medicaid programs face increasing costs and growing demands. Many of their enrollees struggle with high-cost, chronic conditions — often linked to oral health issues. To explore possible approaches to improve oral health care, NASHP interviewed key Medicaid officials […]
Dental Benefits and Health Insurance Marketplaces: An Update on Policy Considerations
/in Policy Reports Child Oral Health, Eligibility and Enrollment, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Expansion, Oral Health, State Insurance Marketplaces /by NASHP and Najeia MentionThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes pediatric dental services as one of ten Essential Health Benefits that health plans in the small group and individual markets must cover. Adult dental services are not required, but are being offered by marketplace plans as well. However, the way that the ACA structures dental coverage has created a […]
Enhancing Oral Health Access Through Safety Net Partnerships: A Primer and Resource Guide for Medicaid Agencies
/in Policy Reports Child Oral Health, CHIP, CHIP, Health Coverage and Access, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Oral Health /by NASHP and Chiara CorsoThe safety net provides crucial access points for vulnerable and low-income populations in need of dental services, including Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees; however, large unmet need for dental services persists among these populations. Not only would increased access to dental services benefit patients, but also the opportunity to provide more preventive […]
Oral Health and the Triple Aim Toolkit
/in Policy Toolkits Child Oral Health, Cost, Payment, and Delivery Reform, Health Coverage and Access, Health System Costs, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Oral Health, Population Health /by NASHPOral health is linked to overall health, and mounting evidence suggests that addressing oral health can help states move toward the Triple Aim goals of improving the patient experience, improving the health of populations, and reducing per-capita health care spending. Poor oral health—including high rates of tooth decay, missing teeth, and gum disease—and inadequate access […]
Oral Health and the Triple Aim — Evidence and Strategies to Improve Care and Reduce Costs
/in Policy Washington Reports Child Oral Health, Health Coverage and Access, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Oral Health /by NASHPOral health is linked to overall health, and mounting evidence suggests that addressing oral health can help states improve patient care, improve population health, and reduce costs. This brief, supported by the Washington Dental Service Foundation, explores how oral health intersects with diabetes, maternal and child health, and avoidable emergency department use. State policies to leverage […]
Oral Health
/in Policy Child Oral Health, Health Coverage and Access, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Oral Health /by NASHPOral health is an important but often overlooked part of health and health coverage. Inadequate access to oral health services is a persistent problem for low-income populations, but states have developed innovative strategies to address it. NASHP’s work highlights how oral health intersects with Medicaid coverage, ACA marketplaces, and state strategies to improve health and […]
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
How States Address Social Determinants of Oral Health in Managed Care Contracts
/in Medicaid Managed Care Maps Child Oral Health, Children/Youth with Special Health Care Needs, CHIP, CHIP, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Essential Health Benefits, Health Coverage and Access, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicaid Managed Care, Oral Health, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health, Special Populations and Services /by NASHP Staff