- CMS: Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction Model
- CMS: Secretarial Comments on the CBE's (Battelle Memorial Institute) 2024 Activities: Report to Congress and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
- HHS: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Marketplace Integrity and Affordability
- HRSA Announces Action to Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs for Life-Saving Medications at Health Centers Nationwide
- Public Inspection: HHS: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Marketplace Integrity and Affordability
- Increased Risk of Cyber Threats Against Healthcare and Public Health Sector
- Eight Hospitals Selected for First Cohort of Rural Hospital Stabilization Program
- Announcing the 2030 Census Disclosure Avoidance Research Program
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
Oral Health Workforce Report Released by Pennsylvania Oral Health Coalition
PCOH has released a workforce report that finds a major decrease in dental workforce, including a staggering decrease in dental assistants. The “Access to Oral Health Workforce Report” uncovers that many Pennsylvania counties are struggling to maintain recommended worker levels. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, rural areas and Medicaid provider networks have seen the sharpest reductions in care providers. This will result in limited access and delayed care for Pennsylvanians, especially those in rural communities. The report also evaluates education and training programs, state tax and local income losses, the impact of COVID-19 relief programs, and dental – Health Professional Shortage Areas (d-HPSAs).
Register Now! Communities in Crisis: Exploring the PA Oral Health Workforce Shortages
PCOH is set to release a workforce report that explores the decline in the size of dental workforce and what it means for Pennsylvanians. Join PCOH staff, partners, and consultants on August 1st at 12 pm ET as we break down the findings as well as further implications. The report and recording will be shared after the webinar. Registration is required.
Pennsylvania Medicaid Changes Coming. Help Spread the Word, Access Oral Health Resources
PCOH is distributing resources for Medicaid HealthChoices members and dental providers to explain the upcoming changes to the HealthChoices program. Pennsylvania is updating the contracts they have with insurance/health plans that serve PA Medicaid members and some of the current plans that providers may participate with will no longer be available in certain regions. Changes go into effect on September 1, 2022.
Please share the resources with your networks to ensure members and providers understand the upcoming changes. The member resource will also be available in Spanish.
Click here to request printed resources.
Click here for the member resource.
Click here for the provider resource.
Academy of Pediatrics Solicits Input into Oral Health Direction
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Oral Health is asking stakeholders to complete a survey on the effectiveness of oral health initiatives/Campaign for Dental Health, priorities for future directions, and resources needed to improve management of oral health promotion, disease prevention, and early childhood caries. The AAP seeks to strengthen oral health initiatives:
- In the wake of the pandemic.
- As part of the AAP Equity Agenda
- Because children continue to see a pediatric or primary care provider or other trusted community member long before they see a dental professional and during the years in which prevention of dental disease is optimal.
The survey deadline is July 15.
Pennsylvania Oral Health Coalition Collecting Info on Medicaid Credentialing Issues
Many dental providers and organizations are reporting having trouble getting their providers credentialed with the Pennsylvania Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. We are hoping to lift this up with the Department of Human Services, and would appreciate connecting with any Pennsylvania providers that have experienced significant delays.
Add Your Voice! Oral Health Survey for Pennsylvania Veterans Released
PCOH is working with a dental public health resident to collect information on veterans’ knowledge and use of their oral health benefits. Please share with our Pennsylvania veterans and encourage them to the take the survey.
Click here to take the survey.
Click here to download the flyer.
Pennsylvania Releases Teledentistry Bulletin
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has published a new bulletin expanding the reach of teledentistry services in Pennsylvania. Coverage has been added for preventive services, and guidelines have been established for both Federally Qualified Health Centers/Rural Health Clinics, and dentists enrolled in the Medical Assistance Program.
Latest Dental Health Policy Insitute Workforce Poll Results Released
The American Dental Association Health Policy Institute (HPI) released the latest data from their Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry poll conducted between May 17-22, 2022. The data shed new light on the impact the dental staff shortage is having on practices across the country. It focuses on recruitment needs, position vacancies, and economic confidence. Core questions are also available in a new, interactive state dashboard.
Click here for more information and to check out the dashboard.
Oral Health/Rural Health Study Commissioned in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative service agency consisting of 12 members of the General Assembly. The LBFC is authorized to conduct a wide range of research activities pertaining to the operation and performance of state-funded programs and agencies. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives adopted House Resolution (HR) 68 on March 23, 2021 which pertains to the availability of dental health services in rural areas of Pennsylvania and seeks recommendations to expand oral health care to those areas. This study will be performed by the LBFC this summer and a final report, with policy recommendations, is expected by the end of 2022.
WHO Adopts Oral Health Strategy
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced member states’ adoption of a new global strategy on oral health at the World Health Assembly 75. This strategy will guide the development of a new global action plan that includes a framework for tracking progress with targets for achieving optimal oral health to be completed by 2030. This plan sets the stage for universal health coverage for oral health, with the goal of allowing all people to access oral health services and live healthy lives by “tackling social and commercial determinants and risk factors of oral diseases and conditions.”