The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), pursuant to the requirements outlined in 42 CFR 438.340and 42 CFR 457.1240(e), hereby gives notice of the opportunity to comment on the revised Iowa Medicaid Dental Quality Strategy Report.  

Summary

The Dental Quality Strategy Report has been updated to include the addition of children into the Dental Wellness Plan. This change was effective in July 2021. Prior to this, children received their dental benefits under Iowa Medicaidā€™s Fee for Service program. The report was updated to align with federal regulations at 42 CFR 438.340(a) and 42 CFR 457.1240ā‚¬, which outlines requirements for state Medicaid and CHIP agencies that contract with pre-paid ambulatory health plans (PAHPs) (also referred to as dental carriers in Iowa) for delivery of Medicaid services. The Dental Quality Strategy Report offers Iowa an opportunity to describe the stateā€™s current population health and quality improvement priorities, and its vision for the dental program. It also provides a road map for achieving those goals and utilizes Dental Quality Alliance metrics to track progress.

Estimated Fiscal Impact

There is not an expected fiscal impact related to the changes proposed in the Dental Quality Strategy Report.

Public Review and Comments

A copy of the Dental Quality Strategy Report is posted on the HHS website at the following link: https://hhs.iowa.gov/public-notices. To reach all stakeholders, non-electronic copies of the Report will be made available for public review at each local HHS office.

Written comments may be addressed to Heather Miller, Iowa Health and Human Services, Iowa Medicaid, 1305 East Walnut, Des Moines, IA 50309-0114, or may be emailed to hmiller2@dhs.state.ia.us. Please indicate ā€œDental Quality Strategy Reportā€ in the subject line of the email. All written and emailed comments must be received by July 26, 2023, at 4:30 p.m.

Attachments

Submitted by:

Elizabeth Matney

Medicaid Director

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services