Bytes

Last week, we saw a flurry of policy and technical guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) regarding carrier participation on Health Insurance Marketplaces in 2016. The following are short summaries and links to these resources. Look out for more detailed summaries in the Dental Interact (DI) Health Care Reform Open Forum.

As noted recently in the Health Care Reform Open Forum in Dental Interact (DI), the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) is currently planning for enhancements to the Exchange that would support the purchase of stand-alone dental plans.

The Massachusetts Connector has requested dental plans operating on the Exchange to submit a Quality Improvement Strategy (QIS), which was defined in the ACA as “rewarding quality through market-based incentives.

NADP submitted comments in response to proposed rules on Medicaid programs that have far-reaching impacts to states, carriers and the delivery of dental services via managed care. This is also critical to all dental insurance carriers, as regulators are known to apply public program requirements to the commercial market.

In a letter to Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) Director Kevin Counihan, NADP, Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA) and America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) request CCIIO discontinue a technical requirement related to adult dental benefits and fix an error in plan preview that is mislabeling these policies for consumers.

Our NADP membership is as diverse as our industry. We represent every business model – from vertically integrated companies, multi-line carriers, dental stand-alone companies to single-state, national and regional plans, for-profits and non-profits. Although diverse, we share the same mission: to advance the dental benefits industry and improve access to quality oral care. This mission binds us together as members of NADP. As 2016 draws to a close, I want to highlight some of the stellar achievements NADP members have made in support of our mission.

One of the most important aspects of my NADP membership is attending our annual conference, CONVERGE. I always look forward to seeing my friends and colleagues, visiting the exhibit booths in the Discovery Zone and hearing from industry experts about the trends affecting the dental benefits market. For me, CONVERGE 2016 was the best conference to date. In addition to strong attendance, quality educational content and multiple opportunities to connect with my colleagues, CONVERGE 2016 was the first time I attended the conference as NADP Board Chair.

As most states have adjourned their legislative sessions, the Government Relations Workgroup (GRW) can share updates on some of the more noteworthy 2016 priority bills.

As the COVID-19 situation changes on a daily basis, NADP continues to operate in service to our members and the industry without disruption. Utilizing work-from-home technology, NADP staff are able to access all systems necessary to provide member services and resources. Likewise, members can access web-based resources and contact NADP staff directly by email or phone.

Moreover, our association has quickly and creatively produced resources to help members during this unprecedented time

In April NADP served as the voice of the dental benefits industry to key stakeholders and the media.