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HF 337

A bill for an act relating to reimbursement rates under the Medicaid dental wellness plan.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Bradley

HF 337 boosts Medicaid dental care access by aligning provider reimbursement rates with the Hawki program, encouraging more dentists to participate and serve members.

Sponsor added, Young.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 337

Summary of Bill HF 337

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: HF 337
  • Title: A bill for an act relating to reimbursement rates under the Medicaid dental wellness plan.
  • Status: Sponsor added, Young.
  • Introduced: February 12, 2025
  • Classification: Bill
  • Subject: Dental care, medical assistance

Purpose and Intent

Bill HF 337 aims to enhance access to dental services for Medicaid members by adjusting reimbursement rates for dental providers. The primary intent is to align these rates with those provided under the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawki) program, thereby encouraging more dental providers to participate in the Medicaid dental wellness plan.

Key Provisions

  • Reimbursement Rate Alignment:
    • The Department of Health and Human Services is mandated to require Medicaid dental plan contractors to align their reimbursement rates for dental providers with those under the Hawki program.
  • Maximizing Participation and Access:
    • The bill emphasizes the need to maximize both dental provider participation and member access to dental services under the Medicaid dental wellness plan.

Impact

  • Dental Providers:

    • The alignment of reimbursement rates is expected to incentivize more dental providers to participate in the Medicaid dental wellness plan, potentially increasing the number of available dental services for Medicaid members.
  • Medicaid Members:

    • By improving provider participation, the bill aims to enhance access to necessary dental care for Medicaid beneficiaries, which could lead to better overall health outcomes.

Legislative Actions

  • February 12, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Health and Human Services committee.
  • February 26, 2025: Sponsor added, Young.

Conclusion

HF 337 represents a legislative effort to improve dental care accessibility for Medicaid members in Iowa by adjusting reimbursement rates to be more competitive with the Hawki program. This change is anticipated to benefit both dental providers and Medicaid beneficiaries, fostering a more robust dental care network within the state.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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