Dental insurance company must provide fluoride treatments twice a year to children
Standing Joint Legislative Committee on Insurance and Financial Affairs has been expected to discuss on LD 1666 “An Act Ensuring Basic Preventive Dental Health Services for Children in Maine.” The bill would require that dental insurance companies to make payments at least two lower teeth fluoride treatments and insurance policies that will be sold in Maine. Maine Dental Association believed that is it aims to make dental insurance companies obey the law.
In the news, Frances Miliano as MDA executive director said that we have seen a very negative trend in the dental insurance benefit plan. He also added that most insurance companies that have included fluoride treatments twice a year – now only includes fluoride treatments once a year. It is caused by companies that want to save money.
Therefore, the company reduced to one-time treatment, but the cost for children toothache has tremendous potential. American Dental Association and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended a fluoride treatment at least twice a year i.e. every six months. Miliano argues that children possess a high risk for dental disease therefore the children must be actually received treatment more than twice a year.
MaineCare children should get a second application under the MaineCare program because it has been seen as a therapy and commensurate with the costs. “We expect the Insurance Committee can understand the benefits of insurance and are willing to provide coverage of prevention such as fluoride varnish. In the long run, it is certainly the most cost-effective approach and the best plan for consumers.
