Oral Health Integration in Statewide Delivery System and Payment Reform

As state Medicaid programs move toward value-based payment, states interested in improving adult oral health care access and outcomes are testing creative strategies to integrate dental care into primary care delivery. Through State Innovation Model (SIM) grants from the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, for example, participating states can include oral health integration in statewide delivery system and payment reform efforts. States without SIM grants are also identifying ways to incorporate dental services into primary care models. This brief explores a robust range of approaches to oral health integration that states are considering, including: (1) Medicaid benefit design and expansion; (2) practicelevel oral health reforms; and (3) statewide delivery reform models.