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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
medicaid; dental benefit study committee
Purpose
Establishes the Medicaid Adult Comprehensive Dental Benefit Study Committee (Study Committee) to evaluate the feasibility, cost, long-term fiscal impacts and public health outcomes associated with expanding Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) coverage to include comprehensive dental care. Outlines Study Committee membership, duties and authorities.
Background
AHCCCS contracts with health plans to provide medically necessary health and medical services to eligible members. AHCCCS contractors are required to provide services and supplies including but not limited to: 1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services; 2) laboratory and X-ray services; 3) prescription medications; 4) medical supplies, durable medical equipment, insulin pumps and prosthetic devices; 5) medical treatment of eye conditions; 6) early and periodic health screening and diagnostic services; 7) family planning services; 8) podiatry services; 9) nonexperimental transplants; 10) emergency dental care; 11) ambulance and nonambulance transportation; 12) hospice care; 13) orthotics; 14) chiropractic services; 15) diabetes outpatient self-management training services; and 16) traditional healing services, as specified (A.R.S. § 36-2907).
Dental services covered under AHCCCS include emergency dental care and extractions for members over 21 years of age in an annual amount of no more than $1000 per member. Emergency dental services must be related to the treatment of a medical condition such as acute pain, infection or jaw fracture, and do not include routine dental cleanings, examinations and procedures (A.A.C. R9-22-207).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Establishes the Study Committee to evaluate the feasibility, cost, long-term fiscal impacts and public health outcomes associated with expanding AHCCCS coverage to include comprehensive dental care for adults.
2. Requires the Study Committee to analyze financing models for expanded dental benefits, including dynamic economic modeling of potential cost savings across the medical, behavioral health and emergency care systems.
3. Outlines Study Committee membership as follows:
a)
two members of the Senate from different political parties, one of whom
to serve as
co-chair, appointed by the President of the Senate (President);
b) two members of the House of Representatives from different political parties, one of whom to serve as co-chair, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Speaker of the House).
c) the Director of AHCCCS or the Director's designee;
d) two members representing patient advocacy organizations with expertise in oral health, dental access or health equity, appointed by the President;
e) two dentists representing dental societies or professional dental organizations who have experience treating patients with unmet oral health needs and have demonstrated knowledge of oral health access barriers, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
f) one dental hygienist with expertise in preventative oral health services, community oral health or public health dentistry, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
g) one person who represents a Medicaid health plan with experience in medical-dental integration or utilization management strategies, appointed by the President; and
h) one health care economist or actuarial expert with experience in Medicaid financing, value-based care design, dynamic economic modeling and long-term budget forecasting to support the committee in developing financial models, appointed jointly by the cochair persons.
4. Allows the Study Committee to:
a) conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the cost, potential savings, effectiveness, health outcomes and value of extending coverage under AHCCCS to include preventative, diagnostic and restorative adult dental services;
b) develop and analyze a dynamic financial model incorporating projected changes in medical spending associated with untreated oral disease, estimated offsets and savings resulting from improved oral health outcomes, long-term impacts on AHCCCS and ten-year fiscal projections;
c) identify federal funding pathways that may support implementation;
d) examine national best practices, particularly in states with Medicaid dental benefits that have achieved cost reduction and improved outcomes;
e) review current policies and practices and propose revisions to AHCCCS to improve oral health access, medical-dental integration and workforce capacity;
f) identify barriers that impact Medicaid members; and
g) recommend legislative and administrative actions to advance adult dental coverage within AHCCCS.
5. Requires the Study Committee to meet at the call of the cochair persons.
6. Specifies that Study Committee members are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses.
7. Requires the Study Committee to submit a report of its activities, findings, financial modeling results and recommendations for legislative or administrative action to the Governor, President, Speaker of the House and the Secretary of State by April 30, 2027.
8. Repeals the Study Committee on July 1, 2027.
9. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 16, 2026
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