Dental Benefits for Individuals with Blindness or Disabilities

The Utah Department of Health, Division of Medicaid and Health Financing (DMHF), will hold public hearings to discuss an amendment to the State’s 1115 Demonstration Waiver.  The Department will also accept public comments regarding the demonstration amendment during the 30-day public comment period from July 31, 2020, through August 29, 2020.

With this amendment, the DMHF is requesting the following:

  1. Authority to change the benefit delivery system for dental benefits for individuals with blindness or disabilities.  Benefits will be provided through the University of Utah School of Dentistry, and it’s associated statewide network of dental providers, rather than the current managed care delivery system.
  2. Authority to provide porcelain and porcelain-to-metal crowns for this population, as is currently authorized under the State’s 1115 demonstration waiver for aged individuals, and Targeted Adult Medicaid beneficiaries who are eligible for dental benefits.

Public Hearings:

The Department will conduct two public hearings to discuss the demonstration amendment.  The dates and times are listed below.  Due to the COVID-19 emergency and state social distancing guidelines, both public hearings will be held via video and teleconferencing.

  • Thursday, August 20, 2020, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., during the Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) meeting

    Video Conference: Google Hangout Meeting (only works in the Chrome web browser) meet.google.com/bam-sdis-vim opens in a new tab
    Or join by phone: 1-919-590-3409 (PIN: 572 374 284#)

Individuals requiring an accommodation to participate in either meeting may contact Jennifer Meyer-Smart at email jmeyersmart@utah.gov or 385-215-4735 by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2020.

Public Comment:

A copy of the public notice and proposed amendment are available here.

The public may comment on the proposed amendment request during the 30-day public comment period from July 31, 2020, through August 29, 2020.

Comments may be submitted online or by:

Email: Medicaid1115waiver@utah.gov

Mail:  Utah Department of Health
     Division of Medicaid and Health Financing
     PO Box 143106
     Salt Lake City, UT 84114-3106
     Attn: Jennifer Meyer-Smart