Dear Neighbors,
There is a rule for medical providers in the state of Minnesota, (formally Rule 101) that requires a certain percent of their caseloads to be patients enrolled in our public health programs. These programs include medical assistance and MinnesotaCare. In order to take patients from other state sponsored health plans, like those of state employees and workers compensation insurance, they must meet these requirements. In the case of dental providers, this is 10 percent. This is done with the objective of increasing access to dental care by encouraging dentists to accept more of these patients.
This can pose challenges however, especially in Greater Minnesota. In some cases, dentists choose to take none of these patients, which can lead to significant voids in care in certain areas of the state. In fact, I’ve talked to dentists in Mankato who have patients driving upwards of 150 miles because they have no available dentist closer to them. It’s wrong that patients, even with insurance, should struggle so hard to find an available provider nearby.
Last year I signed on to a bill of one of my GOP colleagues, Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen from Glencoe, to remove this requirement for those dentists outside the metropolitan area. I’m always pleased when situations are presented allowing bipartisan cooperation, and a modified version of this bill was included in the House Health and Human Services bill.
If 10 percent is too high, would 2, 3, or 4 percent work better? I’m committed to enacting solutions which not only increase access to this care, but keeps a system of reimbursements sustainable enough for dental providers to deliver it. With the legislative session coming to an end, I hope you will reach out to me with your feedback on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Jack Considine
State Representative