Bytes

NADP’s Commission on Advocacy Policy (CAP) continues to work with NADP’s consultants, Applied Policy, on statutory language that would reduce the administrative burdens of offering separate dental plans to cover pediatric dental coverage as required by the Essential Health Benefits.

On April 27, 2015, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the final Public Health Service recommendation for the optimal fluoride level in drinking water to prevent tooth decay.

NADP members and staff continue to track essential health benefits (EHB) benchmark updates from the states in Dental Interact (DI). Many states were granted a deadline extension from CMS to July 1 to submit the EHB benchmarks. As more states publish their decisions, NADP and the Government Relations and Exchange Workgroups will track the decisions, compare to prior benchmarks and publish analysis as available.

With updates posted almost daily, you won’t want to miss the latest news in Exchange and Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation. Here are some of the latest updates (subscribe to the Health Care Reform Open Forum for more):

As 2015 draws to a close, NADP Members can feel a sense of accomplishment for their many contributions advancing our industry and association. This issue of the Monthlybyte eNewsletter focuses on these accomplishments and provides detailed accounts of the work of our volunteers. This eNewsletter also underscores the value of NADP membership and our volunteer leaders who provide the knowledge and direction that is the foundation for our success. I encourage you to read all the articles in this issue as they demonstrate how NADP advance our industry. Following are some departmental highlights from a very productive 2015.

States: While the vast majority of state legislative sessions adjourned over the summer, regulatory agencies and Departments of Insurance have continued their work into the fall and winter.

NADP provided comments this month urging the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) to clarify an exemption for dental benefits in a proposed rule on uniform credentialing.

In partnership with kidney and transplant advocates, NADP sent a joint letter to the Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar urging HHS to “provide the option of purchasing dental coverage independent of medical coverage on the federal health insurance Marketplace.”

NADP is working with Congress to ensure that future COVID-19 legislation helps consumers maintain the dental coverage they need. On April 21, NADP sent a letter to House and Senate leadership calling for Congress to ensure that any forthcoming COVID-19 legislation includes federal subsidies so that individuals who lose their job as a result of the pandemic can keep their employer-sponsored dental coverage. In addition to these COBRA subsidies, NADP also asked Congress to direct the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement a limited Special Enrollment Period (SEP) in the Federally Facilitated Exchanges. The SEP would allow those who do not currently have insurance to enroll in medical and dental plans.

Serving as the voice of the dental benefits industry, 40 NADP members engaged in in-depth telephone conversations and virtual meetings with 60 Congressional offices during NADP’s virtual Advocacy in Action event, June 24-26. Most participants agreed the conference-call format was advantageous as it provided more time to cover industry issues.