Senior Dental Program Seeking Committee Participants

As you may be aware, the Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors (the Senior Dental Program) is to promote the health and welfare of Colorado’s low-income seniors. The Senior Dental Program is overseen by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (the Department) with the oversight of the Dental Advisory Committee (DAC). The DAC serves as a forum where the Department and the stakeholder community can discuss the Senior Dental Program along with making recommendations to the Medical Services Board.

The Committee members are asked to meet at least quarterly to receive updates, review, and comment on proposals received from Senior Dental Program grantees. Members will be appointed by the Department’s Executive Director and will be appointed to 3-year terms. There are currently three seats available and the Department is seeking candidates to fill the following interest areas on the DAC:

• A dental hygienist providing dental care to seniors;
• Safety-net health providers that are not community health centers and NOT a Colorado community health centers, as defined in the Federal “Public Health Service Act”, 42 U.S.C. sec.254b. and
• A senior who is eligible for services under the Senior Dental Program.

If you, or someone else you may know, is interested in participating on the Committee, please send a detailed email describing the following:

• Which interest area you would like fill;
• A brief description of your relevant experience;
• Your role with your current organization and your relationship with low-income seniors; and
• Why you would like to serve on the Committee. 

In addition to the information requested above, feel free to include a current resume or any supplemental information you think would be helpful for our decision.

Please email your expression of interest and any supporting materials to my attention at Chandra.vital@state.co.us with the subject: Dental Program Advisory Committee Membership. Please respond by October 18, 2016. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact me directly via email.

[Source: Senior Dental Program]

Senior Dental Program's Revised Rules Changes

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing had the public rule review meeting on August 22, 2016 and received comments from stakeholders regarding the Senior Dental Program’s revised rules. The Department has made changes and the attached document is the version (this includes a clean copy) of the proposed rules and will be discussed at the Medical Service Board meeting on September 9, 2016 starting at 9:00 a.m.  The revised rules will also be discussed at the Dental Advisory Committee meeting on September 13, 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00.

Please remember that if adopted by the Medical Service Board the new rules will not be effective until November 30, 2016. If you should have questions feel free to contact Chandra Vital, Senior Dental Grant Program Administrator at chandra.vital@hcpf.state.co.us
[Source:  HCPF]

The Latest from Senior Dental News

"The Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors (Senior Dental Program) grants funds to agencies to provide low cost dental care to low-income seniors, age 60 and over, who are not enrolled in Medicaid and do not have dental insurance. Grantees determine if a senior qualifies to receive services under the program.

Revised Rules
Click here for the revised rules for the Senior Dental Program. Please note the important dates below:
Public Review Rule Meeting – August 22, 2016 (This information will be updated a couple of days prior to the meeting. The usual start time is 9:00 a.m.)
Medical Service Board - initial approval date – September 9, 2016
Medical Service Board - final adoption date – October 14, 2016

The earliest date that the revised rules can be effective is November 30, 2016. Remember that none of the proposed services (i.e., immediate dentures, removal of torus palatinus, etc.) may be billed until this effective date. If you should have any questions, please contact: Chandra Vital, Senior Dental Grant Program Administrator, chandra.vital@state.co.us

Senior Dental Program's First Year Numbers

• 2,828 unduplicated clients 
• The Colorado General Assembly transferred $2,962,510 to the Department for providing services through the Senior Dental Program. Procedure costs were $2,776,729 and the 7% administrative costs were $161,159 with a total of $2,937,887 spent leaving only a balance of $23,988.
• 19,591 total procedures performed
  per category: 
• Diagnostic - 6,668
• Preventive - 1858
• Restorative - 3,865
• Endodontics - 118
• Periodontics - 1,365
• Prosthodontics - 1,278
• Oral & maxillofacial surgery - 4,422
• Emergency general services - 17

Read more at Senior Dental News Bulletin

[Source:  Senior Dental News Bulletin]