Tennessee Considers a Two-Pronged Solution to Improving Access to Care

The state of Tennessee does not currently provide dental benefits to adults covered by Medicaid. The Volunteer State also has few dentists—less than 30%—willing to accept patients insured through Medicaid due to low reimbursement rates—leaving 143 regions designated as “dental care health professional shortage areas.” Tennessee lawmakers are hoping to change this with a two-pronged approach. First, spend $75 million to expand dental benefits to more than 600,000 Medicaid recipients. Second, give $94 million to the state’s two dental schools in order to graduate more dentists. Both projects are part of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s proposed 2023 budget. Click here to read more.