dental coverage and utilization for california’s children – data and policy 2009 usc child...

Dental Coverage and Utilization for California’s Children – Data and Policy

2009 USC Child Health Research Symposium

March 2009 Joel Diringer, JD, MPH, Kathy Phipps, DrPH, RDH

Data and policy issues

• Dental coverage for children

• New 2007 data on Healthy Kids utilization of dental coverage

• Policy discussions that could impact children’s dental coverage and utilization

Dental coverage for children, 2007

Source: CHIS 2007

Who is getting care?

Percent of Healthy Kids enrollees with a dental visit, 2007

Source: Delta Dental, 2006

Children’s utilization of dental coverage – all children

Children’s utilization of dental coverage – younger children

Who is getting care?

Percent of Healthy Kids enrollees with a dental visit by age group, 2007

Source: Delta Dental , Safeguard 2007

What kind of care are children getting in Healthy Kids?

What kind of care are they getting?

Type of care received by Healthy Kids enrollees, 2007

Source: Delta Dental, Safeguard 2007

What kind of care are they getting?

Percent of Healthy Kids enrollees thatreceived sealants and/or fluoride treatments, 2007

Source: Delta Dental, 2007

Changes in utilization and types of services received by children enrolled in Healthy Kids

Delta Dental plan - 2006-2007

• CHIP reauthorization

– Expanded outreach/enrollment for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families

– Dental “wrap-around” coverage available through CHIP expansion

– FQHCs: reimbursements increase for Healthy Families and clarification of contracting for outside services

– Performance reporting and quality assurance

• State budget

– Elimination of Denti-Cal for adults will impact availability of care for children

Policy opportunities/threats

More information:

Diringer and AssociatesPO Box 14822

San Luis Obispo, CA 93406805-546-0950

joel@diringerassociates.comwww.diringerassociates.com