AB 2701: Medi-Cal: dental cleanings and examinations.

Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including certain dental services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.

Under existing law, one dental prophylaxis cleaning per year and one initial dental examination by a dentist are covered Medi-Cal benefits for beneficiaries 21 years of age or older. Under existing law, 2 dental prophylaxis cleanings per year and 2 periodic dental examinations per year are covered Medi-Cal benefits for beneficiaries under 21 years of age. Existing law conditions implementation of those provisions on receipt of any necessary federal approvals, the availability of federal financial participation, and, for beneficiaries 21 years of age or older, funding in the annual Budget Act.

This bill would expand the above-described dental benefits, for beneficiaries 21 years of age or older, to at least 2 cleanings and at least 2 examinations per year when medically necessary, as specified in the Medi-Cal Dental Manual of Criteria. The bill would, for purposes of these provisions, include an individuals inability to maintain daily oral hygiene habits, susceptibility to oral health disease or decay, preoperative dental care, or as required by other specified provisions of law, in the definition of medically necessary, and require the department to update the Medi-Cal Dental Manual of Criteria to conform with this inclusion.