- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs: CY 2026 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs: CY 2026 Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program
- 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
- Public Inspection: HHS: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Marketplace Integrity and Affordability
- Increased Risk of Cyber Threats Against Healthcare and Public Health Sector
- HRSA Announces Action to Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs for Life-Saving Medications at Health Centers Nationwide
- Announcing the 2030 Census Disclosure Avoidance Research Program
- Eight Hospitals Selected for First Cohort of Rural Hospital Stabilization 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
New Resources from ASTDD and DentaQuest
The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) and the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement developed a new research brief and infographic focused on access to oral health in schools. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how school-based oral health (SBOH) programs deliver dental care for children. In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep children safe, schools have gone to virtual learning or modified schedules. This has significantly impacted SBOH programs and the ability to gain access to children who have the highest need for oral health services and thus, has required SBOH programs to reassess how they will reach these children.
Click here to read the brief.
Click here to view the infographic.
Oral Health Care During Pregnancy: A Resource Guide
The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center at Georgetown University recently published the third edition of “Oral Health Care During Pregnancy: A Resource Guide.” This guide was created to help promote oral health and prevent oral disease in pregnant women, as well as to help pregnant women achieve the best possible oral health for themselves and their infants. It features links to materials on surveillance, policy, practice guidance, practice tools, professional education and training, program development, and public education.
Opportunity for Pennsylvania High Schoolers: AHEC SEARCH Academy
The Pennsylvania Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) is hosting a new program for high school students, “PA AHEC Students Exploring And Researching Careers in Healthcare (SEARCH) Academy.” The program includes a series of virtual sessions with health professionals from across the state and hands-on activities. PCOH is excited to host the dentistry session on February 9th at 6:30 p.m. Please share this information with any high school students you know interested in dental careers. Interested students should apply ASAP to get materials prior to the session.
COVID Impacts on Rural Dental Care System
Access to oral health care has become a growing concern over the past decade, and the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on all aspects of the oral health care system. Patients, dental providers, educators, and regulators are being asked to rapidly adjust to the COVID-19 crisis with almost no roadmap. To provide some guidance, the Oral Health Workforce Research Center has developed a new section of their website dedicated to sharing information on immediate impacts to the dental care system as a result of COVID-19, including care delivery, financing, regulation, and education.
COVID-19 Resource: Impacts on the Dental Care System
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all aspects of the oral health care system. The Oral Health Workforce Research Center (OHWRC) has developed a new section on their website dedicated to sharing information on immediate impacts to the dental care system as a result of COVID-19. The four key domains of the website include care delivery, financing, regulation, and education.
New Resource: COVID-19 Impacts on the Dental Care System
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on all aspects of the oral health care system. The Oral Health Workforce Research Center (OHWRC) has developed a new section of their website dedicated to sharing information on immediate impacts to the dental care system as a result of COVID-19. The four key domains are care delivery, financing, regulation, and education.
Survey Shows Dentists Are Receptive to Teledentistry
Telehealth has become a path to provide safe, efficient, and accessible dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey of nearly 3,000 dentists conducted by the DentaQuest Partnership reveals that the oral health care system is ready to implement teledentistry as a viable tool to deliver preventative care, not only during the pandemic, but long-term. The results can be narrowed down by teledentistry usage type, state, financial considerations, and opportunities for growth.
COVID-19 Oral Health Resources for School Nurses Available
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, school nurses may be the only avenue for assuring that children receive oral health screenings and referrals. The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) and the National Association of School Nurses have collaborated to develop resources for school nurses: “Considerations for School Nurses in Return to School: Dental Screenings” and “School Nurses: The Key to Good Oral Health During COVID-19 Infographic.” Please share with any school nurses you know.
Click here to download “Considerations” document.
Click here to download the infographic.
Parent Handouts on COVID-19 and Oral Health Available
The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (OHRC) released two new resources for parents of young children from the Office of Head Start’s National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW). The handouts provide clear messages with photos about healthy eating and oral hygiene practices at home and about changes to dental offices to promote the safety of staff and patients during COVID-19. The colorful handouts are available in English and Spanish.
Click here to download the English version.
Click here to download the Spanish Version.
A Three Domain Framework to Innovating Oral Health Care Announced
Change in oral health is long overdue and COVID-19 has brought the system’s issues to the forefront. Now is the time for change. PCOH joins more than 110 oral health leaders in support of a new approach developed by the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement. “A Three Domain Framework to Innovating Oral Health Care” emphasizes overall health as an outcome and is more cost-effective, efficient, and equitable.