DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance

Statutory Authority: 31 Delaware Code, Section 512 (31 Del.C. §512)

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

Adult Dental

In compliance with the State's Administrative Procedures Act (APA - Title 29, Chapter 101 of the Delaware Code) and under the authority of 31 Del. C. § 512, Delaware Health and Social Services ("Department") / Division of Social Services (DHSS/DSS) is proposing to amend the Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) regarding Dental Services, specifically, to add adult dental services to the ABP and to maintain the State's assurance that the ABP matches regular Medicaid.

Any person who wishes to make written suggestions, compilations of data, testimony, briefs or other written materials concerning the proposed new regulations must submit same to, Planning, Policy and Quality Unit, Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance, 1901 North DuPont Highway, P.O. Box 906, New Castle, Delaware 19720-0906, by email to Nicole.M.Cunningham@delaware.gov, or by fax to 302-255-4413 by 4:30 p.m. on August 31, 2021. Please identify in the subject line: Dental Services.

The action concerning the determination of whether to adopt the proposed regulation will be based upon the results of Department and Division staff analysis and the consideration of the comments and written materials filed by other interested persons.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL

The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS)/Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) is proposing to amend the Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) regarding Dental Services, specifically, to add adult dental services to the ABP and to maintain the State's assurance that the ABP matches regular Medicaid.

Statutory Authority

• 42 CFR 440.100, Dental Services

• Section 1937 of the Social Security Act, State Flexibility in Benefit Packages

Background

Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 92 was signed by the Governor of Delaware on August 6, 2019 and provided dental services for adult Medicaid Recipients. The effective date of the Act was April 1, 2020. The adult dental benefit offers basic dental services to eligible adults 21 and over. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved Delaware State Plan Amendment (SPA) 20-0001 which amends Title XIX Medicaid State Plan to add adult dental services with an effective date of October 1, 2020.

Under section 1937 of the Social Security Act, states have the flexibility to design an ABP entirely based on commercial market benefits or the state's approved Medicaid state plan, or a combination of both. When a state designs its ABP benefit package to be the same benefits or richer benefits than the state's approved Medicaid state plan, the state has achieved alignment between the ABP benefit package and the state's approved underlying Medicaid state plan. To date, most states have chosen the path of aligning their ABP benefit package fully or in part with the state's approved Medicaid state plan. ABPs must be kept in full or partial alignment with the state's approved underlying state plan on an ongoing basis.

Summary of Proposal

Purpose

The purpose of this proposed regulation is to add adult dental services to the ABP and to maintain the State's assurance that the ABP matches regular Medicaid.

Summary of Proposed Changes

Effective for services provided on and after October 11, 2021 Delaware Health and Social Services/Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DHSS/DMMA) proposes to amend the Alternative Benefit Plan (ABP) regarding Dental Services, specifically, to add adult dental services to the ABP and to maintain the State's assurance that the ABP matches regular Medicaid.

Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program (EPSOT) Assurance (42 CFR 440.345).

The State assures that there will be full access to EPSDT services (42 CFR 440.345) for individuals under 21 years of age through the adoption of a benchmark plan which will mirror the State's current Medicaid State Plan benefits, including the provision of the EPSDT benefit. EPSDT services include all medically necessary, federally allowed services for individuals under age 21 regardless of their avenue of Medicaid eligibility. As such, newly eligible adults under age 21 will automatically be covered for EPSDT services. These services are covered both as fee-for-service benefits and through the State's Managed Care delivery system. EPSDT services are described in the managed care organization (MCO) member handbooks. The State's Diamond State Health Plan 1115 Demonstration Waiver and MCO contracts require coverage of EPSDT medical services. Children's dental services are covered as FFS. The State will alert providers about the continuity of EPSDT services for qualifying newly eligible individuals through its periodic provider alerts and newsletters.

Public Notice

In accordance with the federal public notice requirements established at Section 1902(a)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act and 42 CFR 440.386 and the state public notice requirements of Title 29, Chapter 101 of the Delaware Code, DHSS/DMMA gives public notice and provides an open comment period for 30 days to allow all stakeholders an opportunity to provide input on the proposed regulation. Comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on August 31, 2021.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Review and Approval

The provisions of this state plan amendment (SPA) are subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The draft SPA page(s) may undergo further revisions before and after submittal to CMS based upon public comment and/or CMS feedback. The final version may be subject to significant change.

Provider Manuals and Communications Update

Also, there may be additional provider manuals that may require updates as a result of these changes. The applicable Delaware Medical Assistance Program (DMAP) Provider Policy Specific Manuals and/or Delaware Medical Assistance Portal will be updated. Manual updates, revised pages or additions to the provider manual are issued, as required, for new policy, policy clarification, and/or revisions to the DMAP program. Provider billing guidelines or instructions to incorporate any new requirement may also be issued. A newsletter system is utilized to distribute new or revised manual material and to provide any other pertinent information regarding DMAP updates. DMAP updates are available on the Delaware Medical Assistance Portal website: https://medicaid.dhss.delaware.gov/provider

Fiscal Impact

There is no anticipated fiscal impact.

*Please Note: Due to the formatting requirements of ABP5 of the regulation, it is being attached here as a PDF document:

http://regulations.delaware.gov/register/august2021/proposed/ABP5 Dental MARKED UP.pdf

*Please Note: Due to the size and formatting of the Alternative Benefit Plan, it is being attached here as a series of PDF documents: