SENATE BILL 451

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Gerald Ortiz y Pino

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; ESTABLISHING A MEDICAID DENTAL HEALTH CARE PILOT PROJECT IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STATE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public Assistance Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] MEDICAID--DENTAL HEALTH CARE--PILOT.--

          A. As federal law permits, the secretary shall establish a year-long dental health care pilot project in the counties of Catron, Grant, Sierra, Otero, Dona Ana, Luna and Hidalgo on January 1, 2017. For recipients in those counties, the dental coverage provided through the pilot project shall replace any dental health care coverage offered through the existing medicaid state plan or waiver. The dental health care pilot project shall offer recipients:

                (1) a larger dental health care provider network;

                (2) shorter distance between recipients and participating dental health care providers; and

                (3) enhanced medicaid reimbursement for participating dental health care providers.

          B. The secretary shall establish by rule evaluation and reporting requirements for the dental health care pilot project. The department shall provide a written report and, upon request, an oral presentation to the legislative health and human services committee and to the legislative finance committee regarding the results of the pilot project by November 1, 2018." 

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