Requirements for Sedation Services
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) implemented new pediatric sedation policies on July 1, 2017, and as a result, the requirements for Medicaid dental providers rendering sedation services have changed. All Medicaid dental records must contain documentation to support that the sedation provided was medically necessary and that the sedation services were conducted within the standard of care and comply with the Texas Administrative Code (TAC)/Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) requirements specified in 22 TAC § 108.7 (2014), 22 TAC § 108.8 (2014) and 22 TAC § 110.4 (2011). Specifically, the dentist administering the sedation must remain in the operatory room to monitor the patient until the patient meets the criteria for discharge to the recovery area at which time the dentist may delegate monitoring to a qualified dental auxiliary. We want to help you understand the new HHSC sedation policies to ensure that your office is compliant with all of the documentation, equipment, and licensure requirements for this important service. Please read on carefully for further details.
MCNA Updates
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) implemented new pediatric sedation policies on July 1, 2017, and as a result, the requirements for Medicaid dental providers rendering sedation services have changed. All Medicaid dental records must contain documentation to support that the sedation provided was medically necessary and that the sedation services were conducted within the standard of care and comply with the Texas Administrative Code (TAC)/Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) requirements specified in 22 TAC § 108.7 (2014), 22 TAC § 108.8 (2014) and 22 TAC § 110.4 (2011). Specifically, the dentist administering the sedation must remain in the operatory room to monitor the patient until the patient meets the criteria for discharge to the recovery area at which time the dentist may delegate monitoring to a qualified dental auxiliary. We want to help you understand the new HHSC sedation policies to ensure that your office is compliant with all of the documentation, equipment, and licensure requirements for this important service. Please read on carefully for further details. |
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The MCNA Commitment to CLAS
MCNA is committed to ensuring the linguistic and cultural needs of our members are met through the incorporation of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) into our dynamic Quality Improvement Program. This program guides the activities of our Quality Improvement Department and the services provided through our Member Hotline. The National CLAS Standards were developed and designed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health to serve as a "blueprint" for dental and health care organizations and providers to guide them in providing the care and services necessary to overcome cultural and linguistic ...
Quality Improvement
MCNA is committed to ensuring the linguistic and cultural needs of our members are met through the incorporation of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) into our dynamic Quality Improvement Program. This program guides the activities of our Quality Improvement Department and the services provided through our Member Hotline. The National CLAS Standards were developed and designed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health to serve as a "blueprint" for dental and health care organizations and providers to guide them in providing the care and services necessary to overcome cultural and linguistic ... |
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Communicating About Wisdom Tooth Pain: How Much is Too Much?
The eruption of wisdom teeth can sometimes mean oral surgery for teens and young adults. The removal of wisdom teeth is either necessary due to anticipated issues that will develop in time, according to what is shown on a patient's x-ray, or due to pain. Patient-reported pain due to the entry of third molars into the mouth varies by individual, so how can you have a meaningful discussion about pain with a patient in order to discern whether the need for wisdom tooth removal truly exists? When a patient experiences the eruption of third molars, they could be coming to you with complaints about pain with no understanding of what is considered within the normal range for such development. Helping them to understand what constitutes severe symptoms requiring the removal of wisdom teeth may provide them with useful perspective. Consider describing the following symptoms that would indicate that the ...
Communication
The eruption of wisdom teeth can sometimes mean oral surgery for teens and young adults. The removal of wisdom teeth is either necessary due to anticipated issues that will develop in time, according to what is shown on a patient's x-ray, or due to pain. Patient-reported pain due to the entry of third molars into the mouth varies by individual, so how can you have a meaningful discussion about pain with a patient in order to discern whether the need for wisdom tooth removal truly exists? When a patient experiences the eruption of third molars, they could be coming to you with complaints about pain with no understanding of what is considered within the normal range for such development. Helping them to understand what constitutes severe symptoms requiring the removal of wisdom teeth may provide them with useful perspective. Consider describing the following symptoms that would indicate that the ... |
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Correcting Overpayments from MCNA
Are you aware of the actions required to correct an overpayment received from MCNA? In accordance with 42 CFR §438.608(d)(2), any network provider who determines that they have received an overpayment from MCNA must notify us in writing of the reason for the overpayment and return the funds within 60 calendar days of the date on which the overpayment was identified. The provider's office may return the overpayment by check, or may choose to have the amount deducted from a future Remittance Advice (RA). Overpayment notifications and refund checks should be ...
MCNA Updates
Are you aware of the actions required to correct an overpayment received from MCNA? In accordance with 42 CFR §438.608(d)(2), any network provider who determines that they have received an overpayment from MCNA must notify us in writing of the reason for the overpayment and return the funds within 60 calendar days of the date on which the overpayment was identified. The provider's office may return the overpayment by check, or may choose to have the amount deducted from a future Remittance Advice (RA). Overpayment notifications and refund checks should be ... |
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National Children's Dental Health Month - February 2018
For the first time, the official National Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM) Poster has been selected based on a contest held among art students at Columbia College Chicago. The winning poster for NCDHM 2018, designed by education and art student Jade Rector, depicts the Tooth Team. It colorfully represents several children joined by toothpaste, a toothbrush, and floss - the entire "team" necessary to practice good dental hygiene habits at home. This will be the 77th annual celebration of this important campaign, which invites dental and other health care professionals and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health care to children and their caregivers. To learn how you and your office can be prepared to join the Tooth Team this February, please visit the ADA's NCDHM website.
Upcoming Events
For the first time, the official National Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM) Poster has been selected based on a contest held among art students at Columbia College Chicago. The winning poster for NCDHM 2018, designed by education and art student Jade Rector, depicts the Tooth Team. It colorfully represents several children joined by toothpaste, a toothbrush, and floss - the entire "team" necessary to practice good dental hygiene habits at home. This will be the 77th annual celebration of this important campaign, which invites dental and other health care professionals and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health care to children and their caregivers. To learn how you and your office can be prepared to join the Tooth Team this February, please visit the ADA's NCDHM website. |
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Artwork Opportunity: Expressions of Clinician Well-Being
The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) is currently in the process of creating an art exhibition dedicated to the exploration of what "clinician burnout, clinician well-being, and clinician resilience looks, feels and sounds like to people across the country." The Academy is calling on all creative people to submit their artwork for possible inclusion in a permanent online gallery or a physical installation to take place in May 2018. Submissions of both visual and non-visual art (e.g., music, creative writing) should convey what clinician burnout, clinician resilience and/or well-being means to you. The deadline for submissions is February 16, 2018. The NAM's goal for this project is to promote the importance of clinician well-being and the great impact it has on patient care. More details and full participation guidelines are available online at https://nam.edu/expressions-of-clinician-well-being-an-art-exhibition/. You will also find the NAM's link to its online form to submit artwork there.
Dental Artwork
The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) is currently in the process of creating an art exhibition dedicated to the exploration of what "clinician burnout, clinician well-being, and clinician resilience looks, feels and sounds like to people across the country." The Academy is calling on all creative people to submit their artwork for possible inclusion in a permanent online gallery or a physical installation to take place in May 2018. Submissions of both visual and non-visual art (e.g., music, creative writing) should convey what clinician burnout, clinician resilience and/or well-being means to you. The deadline for submissions is February 16, 2018. The NAM's goal for this project is to promote the importance of clinician well-being and the great impact it has on patient care. More details and full participation guidelines are available online at https://nam.edu/expressions-of-clinician-well-being-an-art-exhibition/. You will also find the NAM's link to its online form to submit artwork there. |
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