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Public Statement on Medicare Coverage of Medically Necessary Oral and Dental Health Therapies
The Santa Fe Group is one of over 250 signatories of a collaborative statement advocating for the integration of oral health into diabetes care. This initiative underscores the critical link […]
The Santa Fe Group Submits their Comments to the CMS on the CY 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
On September 9, 2024, the Santa Fe Group submitted their comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposals and request for information on Medicare Parts […]
HHS & CMS News | August 2024
August 1, 2024 — HHS Finalizes New Policies to Support Underserved Communities, Mitigate Drug Shortages, and Promote Patient Safety in Hospitals New Mandatory Model to Improve Health Outcomes Post-Surgery and […]
CMS Cross Cutting Initiative: Oral Health
As part of the CMS Strategic Plan, the Oral Health Cross-Cutting Initiative (CCI), led by the CMS Chief Dental Officer, Natalia I. Chalmers, DDS, MHSc, PhD, seeks to achieve equal […]
The Consortium Commends Regulatory Proposal
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to further clarify Medicare payment, extending access to medically necessary oral care services to Medicare beneficiaries with End Stage Renal […]
HHS Proposes Physician Payment Rule to Drive Whole-Person Care and Improve Health Quality for All Individuals with Medicare
On July 10, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), proposed new policies in the calendar year (CY) […]
Article: Caring for Older Americans’ Teeth and Gums is Essential, but …
… Medicare generally doesn’t cover that cost. To help make the medical profession pay more attention to the importance of healthy teeth and gums, Surgeon general, C. Everett Koop, would […]
The Santa Fe Group Submits Nomination of Dental Services for Medicare Coverage for Individuals With Diabetes
On February 2, 2024, the Santa Fe Group submitted their nomination to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to request coverage of medically necessary dental services for individuals […]
Proposed Rule to Include Adult Dental Coverage as an Essential Health Benefit on the ACA Exchanges
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published on November 24, 2023, in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would allow states to include adult dental services as […]
CMS Takes Important Steps in Addressing Coverage Gaps and Inconsistencies in Essential Health Benefits
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that it is taking important steps to remove barriers to coverage for adult dental care. In the annual Notice of […]
Public Statement on Medicare Coverage of Medically Necessary Oral and Dental Health Therapies
The Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage welcomes the final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2024 as another important step forward for Medicare beneficiaries and oral systemic health. “By […]
Systemic Health in Autoimmune Disease: Dental Care is Critical
The Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage undertakes educational, community-building, and advocacy efforts to expand access to medically necessary oral health care. Take advantage of their resources, which include […]
Disabilities and Dental Care: Why More Must Be Done to Improve Access
Many people with disabilities have physical conditions that exacerbate dental problems. Access to dental care is also challenging for these individuals for a variety of reasons. As part of its […]
CMS Physician Payment Rule Advances Health Equity
CMS Physician Payment Rule Advances Health Equity On July 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the calendar year 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule to […]
CMS Overhauls Direct Contracting Model to Include New Requirements on Governance, Health Equity in 2023
In response to priorities of the Biden administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has redesigned the Global and Professional Direct Contracting (GPDC) Model to add new requirements to […]
Nominations for Medically Necessary Dental Treatment Coverage
In accordance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) commitment to a continued review of scientific data pursuant to the expansion of Medicare Parts A and B Payment […]
Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage Issues Statement on Medicare Coverage
The Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage commended the Biden Administration for finalizing regulatory policy that will have a direct and meaningful impact [...]
Medicare Considers Expanding Dental Benefits for Certain Medical Conditions
In an article posted on CNN’s website on October 10, 2022, Susan Jaffe, contributing writer of Kaiser Health News and Washington Correspondent for The Lancet, discusses proposed changes in Medicare […]
CY 2023 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
The Consortium for Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage – a leading consensus-building alliance of more than 240 dental, medical, patient, and consumer organizations – has drafted comments to the Centers […]
SFG Submits Letter to CMS in Support of Medically Necessary Dental Coverage
The Santa Fe Group drafted a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in response to their request for information/comments on Medicare Parts A and B Payment for medically necessary […]
Public Statement on Medicare Coverage of Medically Necessary Oral and Dental Health Therapies
Most Medicare beneficiaries are unable to receive oral and dental care even when it is medically necessary for the treatment of Medicare-covered diseases. Historically, Medicare coverage has extended to the […]
Medicare for All – Act of 2022
Last week, US Senator Bernie Sanders introduced his Medicare for All Act of 2022 in the senate. Fourteen other senators are cosponsoring the bill, which would establish a federally administered […]
2021 Santa Fe Group Updated Plan and Cost Estimates for Medicare Part B Dental Coverage
As policies to improve dental care benefits for seniors are currently being evaluated by Congress, the Santa Fe Group has provided an updated plan for Medicare Part B expansion and an Expanded Dental Benefit. In this addendum, cost estimates for these plans are detailed.
Dental Coverage Under Medicare: Seeking Solutions
Approximately half of all Medicare beneficiaries having no dental care coverage at all while evidence continues to prove a strong link between oral disease and serious – even life-threatening – comorbidities.
First Comprehensive Study on Preventive Dental Care and Medicaid Costs
A recently published study demonstrates the association of preventive dental care with reduced emergency department and inpatient admissions and costs.
Justice In Aging
Justice In Aging‘s new issue brief, Adding a Dental Benefit to Medicare: Addressing Oral Health Inequity Based on Disability , spotlights how adding a dental benefit to Medicare would reduce […]
HHS Extends Application Deadline for Medicaid Providers and Plans to Reopen Portal to Certain Medicare Providers
HHS announcing an application deadline extension, until August 28, for the Medicaid/CHIP and dentist distributions from the Fund. Additionally, starting the week of August 10, HHS will give providers who […]
Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA) Introduces Bill to Include Dental Benefits in Medicare
In May, Rep. Barragán introduced the Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2019, H.R. 2951, a bill that would repeal the exclusion of dental care on Medicare Part B coverage and provides necessary oral […]
Making the Case for Integrating Oral Health in Medicare
Advocates for an adult dental benefit in Medicare met last week in Arlington, VA, to hear the latest evidence supporting this policy goal and explore opportunities to further its adoption. […]
Comprehensive Health Without Oral Health: The Medicare Paradox
Could dental care keep you out of the hospital? Reduce your overall health care costs? Increase your life longevity? The Santa Fe Group Salon on Comprehensive Health Without Oral Health: […]
Santa Fe Group May 2019 Salon Advances #TeethinMedicare Movement
The Santa Fe Group, an action-oriented think tank with a passion to improve oral health for the public, today announced its 2019 Salon “Comprehensive Health Without Oral Health: The Medicare […]
Sen. Cardin (D-MD) Seeks to Add Dental Benefits in Medicare Part B
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee, has introduced legislation (S.22) that creates a dental benefit under Medicare Part B. Currently, Medicare does not […]
Designing a New Payment Model for Oral Care in Seniors
This article presents why a dental benefit in Medicare might save the US government money, and who would likely benefit.
Dentistry Advocates Aim To Fill Medicare Gaps
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Carolyn Thompson’s tight-lipped smile hides a health care problem the 81-year-old retired nurse can’t afford to correct and Medicare won’t pay for. She needs dentures. Her missing […]
