Dentist Des Moines Iowa Take Medicaid – Many counties in Iowa have a shortage of dentists accepting new patients for Medicaid insurance. Falling costs lead to pr…
Many counties in Iowa have a shortage of dentists accepting new patients for Medicaid insurance.
Dentist Des Moines Iowa Take Medicaid
Reimbursement rates cause providers to deny Medicaid to new patients, but also to existing and former patients.
November 2022: Iowa Medicaid E News
Figures from the American Dental Association show that in 2016, dentists in Iowa made 40 cents on the dollar when they provided services to Medicaid patients. Combined with the top 60 percent, most dentists lose money when they see patients with government insurance.
Now, many are returning. That means most low-income people have to pay travel expenses to find someone who can brush their teeth.
Dr. Corey Garner, DDS, owns and operates Southside Smiles in Des Moines. Accepts private insurance, government insurance, and the uninsured.
He said patients come from Des Moines, even Marshalltown or Sioux City to see him. It’s a 6 hour drive.
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“We have patients every day who are two hours away from our office and the patient can’t see a doctor in their area who accepts state insurance,” Garner said.
With the money paid in short order, Dr. Garner said many service providers are unwilling, or unable, to serve low-income populations, communities that often face other challenges.
“Some patients don’t speak English and translators are often needed. There are also many people dealing with mental health or drug and alcohol issues in the past and present,” Garner said.
I-Smile data from the Iowa Department of Public Health shows that in 2018, about 47 percent of dentists providing dental services to children age 12 and older were covered by Medicaid. Down from five years ago.
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For seniors on Medicaid, it’s difficult. They tend to require more expensive procedures, because some dentists accept the elderly under government insurance. Plus, the annual budget means more frequent dental emergencies.
“It seems like you’re saving them more trouble until their insurance kicks in next year and I think that’s frustrating,” Garner said.
Dr. Garner said it’s a personal choice to serve the community and says it’s very rewarding, even though the bottom line is not a big bank.
“To have respect and honor and compassion for them, which they don’t get in a lot of places, that’s what I want,” Garner said.
Ryan J. Roe, Do
The Iowa Department of Labor has a website to help you find a dentist in your state that accepts Medicaid.
But patients who spoke to Local 5 on Wednesday told us most doctors who call those names aren’t accepting new patients.
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