PUBLIC NOTICE: Public Comment Period to Amend the 1115 Iowa Wellness Plan Demonstration Waiver

Notice is hereby given that the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) will hold public hearings to amend the §1115 Iowa Wellness Plan (IWP) Demonstration Waiver to provide dental benefits for children through prepaid ambulatory health plans (PAHPs).

Hearings offer an opportunity for the public to provide written or verbal comments about the IWP Demonstration Waiver amendment. All comments will be summarized and taken into consideration prior to submission to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Hearings will be held at the following dates, times, and locations:

January 20, 2021

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

JOIN NOW via Zoom

Call: 312-626-6799

Meeting ID: 959 2360 9141

Passcode: 295230

January 21, 2021

9:30-10:30 a.m.

JOIN NOW via Zoom

Call: 312-626-6799

Meeting ID: 995 8612 3237

Passcode: 556364

Currently, Medicaid-enrolled children in the State receive State Plan dental benefits via a fee-for-service delivery system. Meanwhile, adult DWP benefits are delivered via a managed care delivery system; the State contracts with two PAHPs for the delivery of dental services to the DWP population. Additionally, children in the CHIP program, Hawki in Iowa, also receive dental benefits via a PAHP. The State seeks to provide dental benefits to children via PAHPs through this amendment as this mechanism will allow the State to better coordinate dental care for children, helping to promote oral health in an accessible and cost-effective manner. The State only seeks to enroll children in PAHPs; there are no proposed changes to children’s dental benefits. They will remain exempt from the incentive structure required for adult enrollees in the DWP, and all enrollees under 21 years of age will continue to be eligible for medically necessary services in accordance with federal early and periodic screening, diagnostic and treatment (EPSDT) requirements.