report evidence a review of dental care services for ... · • eligibility, or the broad...
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A Review of Dental Care Services for Adults in Receipt of Social Assistance in Ontario
August 2019
EVID
ENC
E R
EPORT
Integrating health, economic and equity evidence to inform policy
Aaron Burry, Ted Cohen, Carlos QuiñonezFaculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto
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About this ReportConverge3 commissioned the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto to conduct a review of dental care services for adults in receipt of social assistance in Ontario. Converge3 receives funding from the Province of Ontario. The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Converge3 or the Province of Ontario.
Suggested CitationBurry A, Cohen T, Quiñonez C (Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto). A Review of Dental Care Services for Adults in Receipt of Social Assistance in Ontario. Converge3: Toronto, Canada. 30 August 2019. Available from: https://converge3.ca/publication/evidence-dental-care-services-adults-receipt-social-assistance-ontario.
About Converge3Converge3 is a policy research centre based in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto that focuses on integrating health, economic and equity evidence to inform policy. The Centre is funded by the Province of Ontario and includes multiple partner organizations, including Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael’s Hospital, McMaster University, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, ICES, Health Quality Ontario, Public Health Ontario, and the Ontario Ministry of Health.
© Converge3 2019
Contact InformationConverge3 Institute of Health Policy, Management and EvaluationDalla Lana School of Public HealthUniversity of Toronto155 College Street – 4th FloorToronto, Ontario M5T 3M6 Canada
https://converge3.ca
@converge3_ca
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A Review of Dental Care Services for Adults in Receipt of Social Assistance in Ontario
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 2
1.0 Introduction and Background .............................................................................................. 3
1.1 The Historical Perspective ............................................................................................................ 3
2.0 Methods .............................................................................................................................. 5
3.0 Findings ................................................................................................................................ 8
3.1 Descriptive Summary.................................................................................................................... 8
3.2 Program Transparency ............................................................................................................... 16
3.3 Program Administration: Approval of Covered Services, Adjudication and Payment of Claims . 17
3.4 Program Eligibility for Dental Benefits........................................................................................ 20
3.5 Supplemental Public Clinics and Access to Care for Adults Receiving OW .................................. 21
3.6 Assessment and Comparison of Benefits Offered to Adults Receiving OW................................. 23
3.7 MCCSS Fee Comparison .............................................................................................................. 28
Appendix A – Comparison of Dental Coverage ............................................................................. 31
Appendix B – Comparison of Select Fee Codes ............................................................................. 33
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ExecutiveSummaryThisreportwascommissionedbyConverge3toaddressthefollowingquestion:WhatisthestatusofdentalcareservicesofferedtoadultsinreceiptofsocialassistanceinOntario?Assuch,thisreportdescribesandcomparesthediscretionarydentalbenefitsthatareavailabletoOntarioWorks(OW)recipientsandtheirspousewhoare18yearsofageorolder(adultsreceivingOW)acrossOntariomunicipalities.Inaddition,itexamineswhereadditionalsupportwithdentureservicesareofferedtoadultsreceivingOW.OWisalegislatedsocialassistanceprogramfundedbytheMinistryofChildren,CommunityandSocialServices(MCCSS)andislocallydeliveredacrossOntarioby47ConsolidatedMunicipalServicesManagers(CMSM)orDistrictServicesAdministrationBoards(DSAB).DentalcareforadultsreceivingOWisclassifiedasa“discretionaryhealthbenefit,”meaningthattheCMSM/DSAB(OWadministrators)determinethelevelofhealthbenefitanddeliveryaspartofpolicyandbudgetprocessesoflocalmunicipalcouncilsandadministrativeboards.Italsomeansthattheabilitytosupportdiscretionarybenefitsisimpactedbythefinancialcapacityofthelocalcommunity.Overthelast30years,howsocialassistanceisfundedhaschangedinOntario.Thischangehasresultedinshiftstofundingandcost-sharingformulasand,ingeneralterms,areductionindentalcarebenefitsforOWrecipientstowards“basic”and“emergency/urgent”careonly.Thesereductionshavealsobeencoupledtorestrictionsonservices(e.g.settingfrequencylimitsandincreasingpreapprovals)andthegradualeliminationofitemssuchasdentures.Fromacomparativeperspective,programsand/orbenefitsvaryconsiderablyacrosstheprovinceintermsof:
• Transparency,orhowreadilyaccessibletheinformationistoclientsandproviders• Policyandprocesselements,orthebroadadministrativeapproachtoprovidingandpayingfor
clientbenefits• Eligibility,orthebroadconsiderationsrelatedtoreceiptofdentalservices• Benefits,orthelevelofservicesofferedsuchas“emergencydentalplan,”“basicdentalplan,”
“dentureplan,”“reliefofpainonly,”and/orwhethercontactwiththeOWadministratororcase-workerisrequired
• Serviceplandetails,orwhetherthereisareadilyaccessibledescriptionorlistingoftheservicesthatarecoveredoroffered,and
• Pricing,orthedifferencesinfeesforthesameservicesacrossprogramsand/orwhencomparedtotheMCCSSserviceschedule.
Thecurrentstateofdentalprogramsand/orbenefitsforadultsreceivingOWacrosstheprovinceisdefinedbysubstantialvariationacrossalltheparametersinvestigated,includinghowbenefitsareaccessed,howtheyareadministered,whatservicesareincludedorexcluded,whatmaximumannuallimitsapply,andthelevelsofreimbursementincluded.Fromahealthequityperspective,suchvariationrepresentsatargetforhealthpolicyintervention.Ultimately,policyquestionsfordecision-makersinclude:Shouldtheseservicesremaindiscretionaryorbecomemandatory?Whatoutcomesaregovernmentstryingtoachievebyfundingsuchservices?Whatwaysoforganizing,financinganddeliveringtheseservicesarenecessary?Whatservicesshouldbefundedandforwhatreasons?AndwhatexpertiseisneededtodeliverefficientandequitabledentalcareforadultsreceivingOW?
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1.0 IntroductionandBackgroundThisreportwascommissionedbyConverge3toaddressthefollowingquestion:WhatisthestatusofdentalcareservicesofferedtoadultsinreceiptofsocialassistanceinOntario?Assuch,thisreportdescribesandcomparesthediscretionarydentalbenefitsthatareavailabletoOntarioWorks(OW)recipientsandtheirspousewhoare18yearsofageorolder(adultsreceivingOW)acrossOntariomunicipalities.Inaddition,itexamineswhereadditionalsupportwithdentureservicesareofferedtoadultsreceivingOW,orrecipientsoftheOntarioDisabilitySupportProgram(ODSP)andtheirdependents.1OWisalegislatedsocialassistanceprogramfundedbytheMinistryofChildren,CommunityandSocialServices(MCCSS)andislocallydeliveredacrossOntarioby47ConsolidatedMunicipalServicesManagers(CMSM)orDistrictServicesAdministrationBoards(DSAB).TheOWprogramobjectivesare:
1. Providefinancialassistancetothosewhoareinneedofhelpwithbasicitemslikefood,shelterandclothing,aswellasassistancewithhealthbenefitsfortherecipientandtheirdependents.
2. Provideemploymentassistancetohelpclientsfind,prepareandkeepajob.Thisassistancemayinclude:resumewriting,interviewing,jobcounsellingworkshops,andjobspecifictrainingtoassistclientstoimprovetheirlanguageskillsorfinishhighschool.
3. Provideemergencyassistanceforpeoplewhoareincrisisoranemergencysituation.OntariansareeligibleforOWiftheyarelivinginahouseholdthatdoesnothavesufficientfinancialresourcestomeetbasiclivingexpensesandiftheyarewillingtomakereasonableeffortstofind,prepareforandkeepajob(unlessspecificcircumstancestemporarilypreventdoingso,suchasanillnessorcaregivingresponsibilities).ToqualifyforODSP,anindividualmustbeatleast18yearsold,anOntarioresident,infinancialneed,andmeettheprogram’sdefinitionofapersonwithadisabilityorbeamemberofaPrescribedClass.21.1 TheHistoricalPerspectiveSomehistoricalperspectiveisusefulforunderstandingthenatureofdentalbenefitsavailabletoadultsonsocialassistanceinOntario.DentalcareforadultsonOWisclassifiedasa“discretionaryhealthbenefit,”meaningthattheCMSM/DSAB(OWadministrators)determinethelevelofhealthbenefitanddeliveryaspartofpolicyandbudgetprocessesoflocalmunicipalcouncilsandadministrativeboards.Italsomeansthattheabilitytosupportdiscretionarybenefitsisimpactedbythefinancialcapacityofthelocalcommunity.Forthesereasons,variationinadultdentalservicesacrossjurisdictionsisexpected.Ontario’sapproachtofundingsocialassistanceisuniqueinCanadawhereinlocalpropertytaxoffsetsaportionofthecosts.Municipalitiesalsodeliversocialassistanceonbehalfoftheprovince.Importantly,howsocialassistanceisfundedhaschangedinOntarioacrosstime.31TheMCCSSprovidesabasicdentalplantoODSPrecipientsandtheirdependents,whichiscentrallyadministered.2AsperMCCSS,“[p]rescribedclassesarespecificcategoriesofpeoplewhodonothavetogothroughthedisabilityadjudicationprocesstoqualifyforODSPIncomeSupport.”See:EligibilityforODSPIncomeSupport.Availableat:https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/income_support/IS_Eligibility.aspx3See:OfficeoftheAuditorGeneralofOntario.AnnualReport2018.Chapter3.Section3.11OntarioWorks(pp.494-546).Toronto:OfficeoftheAuditorGeneralofOntario,2018;AssociationofMunicipalitiesofOntario(AMO).The2008UploadAgreement(Provincial-MunicipalFiscalandServiceDeliveryReview).Toronto:AMO,August2017;BélandD,DaigneaultPM,editors.WelfarereforminCanada:provincialsocialassistanceincomparativeperspective.UniversityofTorontoPress;2015Sep18;MunirS.ReportoftheCommissionfortheReviewofSocialAssistanceinOntario:TakingStockTwoYearsLater.SPPResearchPaper.2015Mar31;8(8);QuiñonezC,SherretL,GrootendorstP,ShimMS,AzarpazhoohA,
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Priorto1995,theprovincefundedthefullcostofmonthlysocialassistance,50%of“discretionaryhealthbenefits”(includingdental),and50%ofthe“costofadministration”forsocialassistancelocally.After1995,municipalitiesbecameresponsiblefor20%ofthecostofmonthlysocialassistance;however,theprovinceincreasedtheportionofdiscretionarybenefitsitwouldcost-shareto80%.Municipalitieswereabletoleveragethecost-sharingwiththeprovincetoattractadditionalprovincialdollars(80centdollars)totheircommunitiesandthereforeoffermoreservicestothoseinneed.In1996,thefirstfundingcapsontotalexpendituresfordiscretionaryhealthbenefitsandchangestothecostofadministrationformulaswereintroducedbytheprovince.Thechangeinfundingformulascreatedlocalfinancialshortfalls.Asaresult,severalmajorjurisdictions,whichofferedabroadsuiteofbasicdentalcareservices,beganadjustingtheirprogramstoprovide“emergencydentalcareonly”foradultsocialassistancerecipients.Thechangesin1996wereapreludetothe1998majorrestructuringofsocialassistanceintowhatisknowntodayasOWandODSP.Aspartofthechangestolegislation,agreateremphasisonemploymentandtrainingwasaddedandaportionofthecostofsocialassistancewasdownloadedtothemunicipalities.Thismeantanincreasedportionofthepropertytaxrevenuefundedmonthlysocialassistancepayments.Municipaladministratorswerealsorequiredtocoveraportion(20%)ofthemonthlycostofODSP(eventhoughtheydidnotdeliverODSP)and20%ofthehealthbenefitsforODSP.Theyear2008markedanothersignificanttransition,withtheprovinceagreeingtoassumethecostofallsocialassistanceover10years.In2012,administrationofOWwaschangedtoapercaseformularatherthantheprevious50/50costsharingarrangement.OWadministratorswerealsonolongerrequiredtocost-sharediscretionarybenefits;however,theprovinceintroducedapercapitafundingmodelforalldiscretionaryhealthbenefitsataflatrateof$10perOW/ODSPrecipientperfiscalyear,basedonitstotalexpendituresin2010.Byfixingtheamountpercase,municipalitieswhowereinvestingmorethantheflatrateunderthe80/20formulatendedtoreceivelessprovincialfundingfordiscretionarybenefitsthantheywereaccustomedto,andthosewhoinvestedlesstendedtoreceivemore.Overall,thechangesdescribedabovehavetendedtoreducedentalcarebenefitsforOWrecipientsto“basic”or“emergency/urgentlevel.”Thesereductionshavealsobeencoupledtorestrictionsonservices(e.g.settingfrequencylimitsandincreasingpreapprovals)andthegradualeliminationofitemssuchasdentures.Importantly,whilespecificsocialassistancedentalcareexpendituresarenotavailable,overall,publiclyavailableinformationdemonstratesvariabilityinprovincialgovernmentfundeddentalcareexpendituresbasedonthechangesoutlinedabove(Figure1).
LockerD.Anenvironmentalscanofprovincial/territorialdentalpublichealthprograms.Ottawa:OfficeoftheChiefDentalOfficer,HealthCanada,2007;HerdD,MitchellA,LightmanE.Ritualsofdegradation:AdministrationaspolicyintheOntarioWorksProgramme.SocialPolicy&Administration.2005Feb;39(1):65-79;HerdD.Rhetoricandretrenchment‘commonsense’welfarereforminOntario.Benefits.2002Jun1;10(2):105-10;GrahamKA,PhillipsSD.“WhoDoesWhat”inOntario:Theprocessofprovincial-municipaldisentanglement.CanadianPublicAdministration.1998Jun;41(2):175-209;MorrisonI,PearceG.Undertheaxe:socialassistanceinOntarioin1995.JournalofLawandSocialPolicy.1995;11:1.
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Figure1.Provincialgovernmentfundeddentalcareexpenditures,Ontario,1975to2017($2017,‘000000).Source:NationalHealthExpenditureDatabase,CanadianInstituteforHealthInformation
2.0 MethodsThiswasadescriptivestudybasedonareviewofwebsites,documents,andinformationsourcedfromtheInternetandthroughrequeststoOWadministrators.Specifically,informationwasobtainedthroughanonlinesearchoftheCMSMorDSABwebsites/portalsorthird-partyorganizationswithwhichtheCMSMorDSABhaspartnered(i.e.PublicHealthUnit[PHU])orcontracted(i.e.AccertaClaimServicorpInc.[Accerta],TheGreat-WestLifeAssuranceCompany[Great-WestLife])toadministerdiscretionarydentalbenefitsforOWrecipients.Informationwassummarizedandcollatedinavarietyofways.Anoveralldescriptivesummarybyjurisdictionisprovidedforthefollowingelements:
• Transparency,orhowreadilyaccessibletheinformationistoclientsandproviders• Policyandprocesselements,orthebroadadministrativeapproachtoprovidingandpayingfor
clientbenefits• Eligibility,orthebroadconsiderationsrelatedtoreceiptofdentalservices• Benefits,orthelevelofservicesofferedsuchas“emergencydentalplan,”“basicdentalplan,”
“dentureplan,”“reliefofpainonly,”and/orwhethercontactwiththeOWadministratororcase-workerisrequiredandanyannuallimit
• Serviceplandetails,orwhetherthereisareadilyaccessibledescriptionorlistingoftheservicesthatarecoveredoroffered,and
• Notes,oradditionalrelevantdetails.
Amoredetailedanalysisbasedontheaboveelementsisprovidedbeyondjustsimpledescription.Areviewofthepublic(directdelivery)clinicsandapproachestakenintheseclinicsisincluded.A
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conveniencesampleofdentalbenefitplansisreviewedtodetermineandcomparethelevelofservicesbeingofferedbymunicipaladministrators.Thebroadareasreviewedinclude:
• Theannuallevelofbenefitsavailable• Whetherpredeterminationorpreauthorizationforservicesisrequired• Whetherproceduresincommoncategoriesarecovered• Specificlimitationsforreimbursement(servicecodes,frequencyandotherlimitations),and• Thegeneralconstructionoftheplanandcoveragefordentures.
Andanassessmenttoolwasalsodevelopedthatconsiders30differentparameters,whichareusedtocomparejurisdictionsinAppendixA--ComparisonofDentalCoverage.Table1belowprovidesadescriptionforeachoftheparameters.
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Table1.ParameterstocomparedetailsofaconveniencesampleofdentalbenefitplansofferedbymunicipaladministratorsParameter AssessmentparameterdescriptionDollarlimit Paymentlimitordollarlimitoftheplanina12-monthperiodPredetermination/preauthorization(PD)
Dentistsarerequiredtosubmitinformationforapprovalforspecificservicesorwhentreatmentcostsareexpectedtoexceedacertaindollarlimitlevel
MCCSSFees ArethereimbursementlevelsintheplanthesameasfoundJanuary2018MCCSSScheduleofDentalServicesandFees(yesorno)?
Amalgam&composite Doestheplanreimbursecompositerestorationstothesamerate?Complete Referstoacomprehensivedentalexamination,whichisdonewhenapatient
seestheirdentistforthefirsttimeorperiodically(generallyeveryfiveyears)Emergency Referstoanemergencyexaminationtoinvestigateanurgentdentalproblem
whenthepatientpresentswithpainorinfectionSpecific Likeanemergencyexamination,reimbursedatthesamelevel;someplans
placelimitationsonhowmanyspecificoremergencyexamscanbeclaimedwhileothersareopenended,forexample,aplanthatindicatesanycombinationofanemergencyexamandspecificexamsuptothreeduringasix-monthperiod(describedas3/6inthechart)
Recall Referstoreimbursementforaperiodicre-examinationofexistingpatient;notconsideredascomprehensiveasacompleteexam;usuallynotincludedinplanswherethefocusistheimmediatereliefofpainanddiscomfort(emergencydentalplan)
Film Referstoradiographs(x-rays),orthenumberthatwillbereimbursedinagivenperiod
Panoramic Generalfull-faceorsurvey(x-ray)oftheentireteethandjawsBiopsy Referstoassessinggrowthsorlesionsinthemouththataresuspiciousand
removingthesuspecttissueandsendingforanalysisPreventative Referstothreeelementsdefinedunderprevention:polishing,scalingand
topicalfluoridetreatments;emergencydentalplanstypicallydonotincludethiscomponent
Caries,TraumaandPainControl(CTPC)
Referstotheplacementofvariousdressingsintheteethandgumstostoppain
Amalgam Planreimbursesamalgam(silver)fillingsComp(A) Planreimburseswhite(compositeresin)fillingsinthefrontteeth(12front
teeth)Comp(P) Planreimbursesforwhite(compositeresin)fillingsinthebackteeth(12back
teeth)Pulpotomy ReferstoproceduresremovingpartofthenerveofapainfultoothPulpectomy ReferstoproceduresforremovingallthenervetissueofapainfultoothRootCanalTherapy Referstosealingthecanalspaceleftafterthenervetissuehasbeenremoved,
cleanedandshapedPerio42831 Referstotreatingapainfulinfectioninthegums(gumabscess)Basicremovals ReferstoremovingorextractingteethorotherdamagedtissuesinthemouthReplant Referstoputtingatoothbackintoplaceifitisknockedoutormovedbya
blowLimited8’s ReferstolimitationintheremovalofimpactedwisdomteethGeneralAnesthetic(GA) ReferstogeneralanestheticbeingacoveredserviceSedation ReferstotheadministrationofintravenousdrugstosedateapatientNitrousOxide(NO) Referstonitrousoxideor“laughinggas”Dentures ReferstocoverageforacrylicdentureseithercompleteorpartialCastRemovalPartialDenture(RPD) Referstopartialdenturesthathavecastmetalcomponents;usuallymore
expensivethancompletelyplasticdenturesRepairs ReferstorepairingofadentureReline Referstotheadditionofnewmaterialtoadenturetofillinareaswherethe
tissuehasshrunk;improvesfitofdenture
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3.0 Findings3.1 DescriptiveSummaryTables2to4belowprovidedatakeysforinterpretinganoveralldescriptivesummaryofprogramsandbenefitsbyjurisdiction.ThissummaryisincludedinTable5,whichhighlightsprogramtransparency,policyandprocesselements,eligibility,benefits,availabledetailsoftheserviceplan,andanyadditionalrelevantinformation.ThedatapresentedinTable5(alsobelow)indicatesthatthereisvariationintheapproachtoprogramsandbenefits.Morespecifically,thereremaingeographicdifferencesinhowservicesareadministered,theservicesthatareoffered,andhowtheyareoffered.Forexample,somejurisdictionshavedevelopedlocalinitiativestoaddressaccesstodentalcarechallengesbyexpandingclinicseitherwithinCommunityHealthCentresoraspartofthelocalPHUinfrastructure.Theseclinicsarefundedthroughacombinationofprovincialgrants,localgrantsand/orcontributionsfromcharitableorganizations.Insomejurisdictions,thereisafixedandtransparentcommitmenttotheseprogramsandbenefitsavailabletoclientsforagivenperiodoftime,whichareclearlyoutlinedinofficialpoliciesandsupportedbybudgetallocationsandrelatedtenderingprocesses.However,forsomemunicipaladministrators,thereisadegreeofopacityrelatedtotheinformationavailableregardingwhatdentalcarebenefitsareoffered.Thisisarguablyduetosomejurisdictions’needtomanagethedemandforarangeofassistance,andforstafftomaintaindiscretionintheapprovalprocess.Thedatacollectedreflectsasnapshotintimethatcontinuestoevolveasjurisdictionsreviewtheirprogramsaspartoftheirpolicyandannualbudgetcycles.Table2.Datakey1:TransparencyA InformationavailableforclientsandprovidersaboutthebenefitsofferedontheOW
administrator’ssiteB InformationavailableforclientsaboutthebenefitsofferedontheOWadministrator’ssiteC Informationavailableforprovidersthroughthird-partybenefitsadministratorD Informationavailablethroughasecondarywebsiteinthelocaladministrativeareasuchasa
communityorPHUwebsiteE Noinformationavailableandclientsrequiredtospeakwiththeirworkertodeterminewhat
assistancemightbeavailableF Indicationthatassistancemaybeofferedbutnodetails
Table3.Datakey2:PolicyandprocesselementsDirectlyadministered
OWadministratordirectlyauthorizesandpaysforservices
Third-partyadministered
OWadministratorhascontractedwiththird-partytoadjudicateandpayforserviceclaims
PHUadministered
OWadministratorhaspartneredwithPHUtoprovidearangeofadministrativeservices,fromadjudicationandpaymentofserviceclaims,toprovidingcaredirectlyinPHUdentalclinics
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Table4.Datakey3:Eligibility1 Assistancewiththecostofemergencydentalcare:Adultsanddependentsovertheageof18up
tothelastmonthadultisinreceiptofOW2 Assistancewiththecostofdentures:Adultsanddependentsovertheageof18uptothelast
monthadultisinreceiptofOW3 Reliefofpainonly:Adultsanddependentsovertheageof18uptothelastmonthadultisin
receiptofOW4 Pre-reviewbyOWadministratortoseeifassistancemaybeprovided:Adultsanddependentsover
theageof18uptothelastmonthadultisinreceiptofOW
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Table5.SummaryofprogramsandbenefitsbyjurisdictionJurisdiction Transparency Policyandprocess
elementEligibility Benefits Service
plandetails
Notes
Toronto B/C Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyGreat-WestLife
1/2 Emergencydentalplananddentureplan,noannualdollarlimit
Yes Announcementin2016thatOWclientscouldattendTorontoPublicHealthdentalclinics
Cornwall E Directlyadministered
2 Reimburse,tothedentaloffice,$75dollarspertoothforemergencyrelatedwork
No EasternOntarioHealthUnitprovidingdentalservicestoOWclientsonaprobonobasisbeyondthe$75dollarsforanemergencyextraction
Durham A PHUadministered 1/2 Emergencydentalplananddentureplan,predeterminationforvariousotherservices
Yes
CountyofHastings
F Directlyadministered
4 GatewayCommunityHealthCentredentalclinicoffersservices,$50pervisit
No ClinicstartedatGatewayCommunityHealthCentredentalclinicstartedforOW/ODSPclientsaswellaslowincomeclients,$50pervisitirrespectiveofcostoftreatmentforthosewithoutcoverage
KawarthaLakes/Haliburton
C/F Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1/2 Emergencydentalanddentureplan
Yes
Kingston F Directlyadministered
1 Emergencydentalplan,upto$350annually
No ClinicstartedatKingstonCommunityHealthCentre.Staffdentistsprovidecare.Acceptthe$350annuallyandprovidecareoutsidethelimit.Additionalsourcesoffundingavailablethatsomeclientscanaccessfundedbythemunicipality,alocalcharity,aswellasblockfundingfromtheLocalHealth
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Jurisdiction Transparency Policyandprocesselement
Eligibility Benefits Serviceplandetails
Notes
IntegrationNetwork.Programandservicescontinuetoevolve.
LanarkCounty D Directlyadministered
1 Emergencydentalplan,upto$400annually
No
LeedsGrenville D Noonlineinformation
1 Basicdentalplan,upto$400annually
No
Northumberland A/C Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1/2 Emergencydentalanddentureplan
Yes
CityofOttawa A/C PHUadministeredanddirectadministrationofdentureprogram
1/2 Emergencydentalplanwithinclinicsanddentureplanwhichispreauthorizedaccordingtoclinicalneed
No DentalcareprovidedthroughtheOttawaPublicHealthclinics.Variableservicesavailableyear-over-yearpendingbudgetaryapprovalfromCityCouncil.
Peterborough A Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccertaanddirectadministrationofdentureservices
1/2 Accertabasicdentalplanupto$600pertreatmentplanandupto$1500fordenturesevery5years
Yes
Prescott-Russell F Directlyadministered
3 Emergencydentalplan,limitedto$75
No EasternOntarioHealthUnitoffersclinicsinCornwallandHawkesburywhereclientscanattendatnocharge.Clinicdoesacceptthelimitedpaymentbutbroaderdentalneedsmaybeaddressed.
PrinceEdward/LennoxandAddington
C/D Third-partyadministered,definedbenefit
1 Accertaemergencydentalplan
Yes
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Jurisdiction Transparency Policyandprocesselement
Eligibility Benefits Serviceplandetails
Notes
claimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
CountyofRenfrew
C/D Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1 Accertaemergencyplanupto$500annually
Yes
CountyofDufferin
D Directlyadministered
1 Emergencyplan,$300per12months
No
HaltonRegion D PHUadministered 1/4 Upto$200thenpreauthorizationrequired
No
Peel A Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyGreat-WestLife
1/2 Emergencydentalplananddentureplan
Yes
SimcoeCounty C/D PHUadministered 1/2 Emergencydentalanddenturebenefitplan
Yes
Waterloo A PHUadministered 1/2 Emergencydentalanddenturebenefitplan
Yes
CountyofWellington
A Thirdpartyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1 Accertabasicdentalplan,upto$1000percalendaryear
Yes
YorkRegion A Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1/2 Accertaemergencydentalplananddentureplan
Yes
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Jurisdiction Transparency Policyandprocesselement
Eligibility Benefits Serviceplandetails
Notes
Brantford E Directlyadministered
4 Reliefofpain,contactwithcaseworkerrequired
No
BruceCounty F Directlyadministered
4 Directfollow-uprequiredtoseehowOWadministratorwillassist
No
Chatham-Kent F Directlyadministered
4 Directfollow-uprequiredtoseehowOWadministratorwillassist
No
CountyofGrey C/F Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1 Accertabasicdentalplan,upto$1000percalendaryear
Yes
CityofHamilton A Directlyadministered
1/2 Emergencydentalplananddentureplan
Yes
HuronCounty B/C Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1 Accertabasicdentalplan,upto$1000percalendaryear
Yes
LambtonCounty B PHUadministered 1 Emergencydentalplan
No
CityofLondon A DirectlyAdministered
1 Emergencydentalplan
No Twoteethpersixmonths,fillingorextractionsonly
Niagara B Directlyadministered
1/4 Upto$135permonth,thenfollow-upwithcaseworker
No
NorfolkCounty F Directlyadministered
3 Directfollow-upwithOWcase
No
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Jurisdiction Transparency Policyandprocesselement
Eligibility Benefits Serviceplandetails
Notes
worker,vouchersystem
OxfordCounty E Directlyadministered
3 Directfollow-uprequiredtoseehowOWadministratorwillassist
No
CityofSt.Thomas
F Directlyadministered
3 Directfollow-uprequiredtoseehowOWadministratorwillassist
No
CityofStratford C/F Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1 Accertaemergencydentalplan
Yes
CityofWindsor A Directlyadministered
1 Basicdentalplan,$300percalendaryear
Yes
Algoma C/E Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1/2 Accertaemergencydentalplananddentureplan
Yes
Cochrane C/E Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1/2 Accertaemergencydentalplananddentureplan
Yes
Kenora C/F PHUadministered 1 Basicdentalplan No Manitoulin-Sudbury
A Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1 Accertaemergencydentalplan
Yes
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Jurisdiction Transparency Policyandprocesselement
Eligibility Benefits Serviceplandetails
Notes
Muskoka A PHUadministered 1/2 Emergencydentalplananddentureplan
Yes
Nipissing E Directlyadministered
3 OWadministratorprovidesvoucherforreliefofpain
No
ParrySound C PHUadministered 1/2 Emergencydentalplananddentureplan
Yes
RainyRiver C/F PHUadministered 1 Indicationthatbenefitsareavailable,butnodetails
No
SaultSte.Marie B/C Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1/2 Accertaemergencydentalanddentureplan
Yes
Sudbury E Directlyadministered
3 Contactwithcaseworkedforvoucher,limitedtopain
No
ThunderBay B/C Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1 Accertaemergencydentalplan
Yes
Timiskaming C/E Third-partyadministered,definedbenefitclaimsadjudicatedbyAccerta
1/2 Accertaemergencydentalplananddentureplan
Yes
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3.2 ProgramTransparencyTable6belowsummarizesthedatarelatedtoprogramtransparency,ortheeaseoffindingprograminformationrelatedtothedentalprogram.Table6.ProgramtransparencyCategory Description CountofOWmunicipal
administratorsA Informationavailableforclientsandprovidersaboutthe
benefitsofferedontheOWadministrator’ssite131
B InformationavailableforclientsaboutthebenefitsofferedontheOWadministrator’ssite
62
C Informationavailableforprovidersthroughthird-partybenefitsadministrator
1
D InformationavailablethroughasecondarywebsiteinthelocaladministrativeareasuchasacommunityorPHUwebsite
73
E Noinformationavailableandclientsrequiredtospeakwiththeirworkertodeterminewhatassistancemightbeavailable
84
F Indicationthatassistancemaybeofferedbutnodetails 1251Two of the 13municipalities refer and direct dental providers to Accerta for information about thebenefitsplan.2FourofthesixmunicipalitiesreferanddirectdentalproviderstoAccerta.InthecaseofToronto,theinformationcanbeobtainedfromGreat-WestLife.3Forthreeofsevenmunicipalities,theplanswereavailableelectronicallyandtheinformationpostedfordentalofficesanddenturists.4Threeof theeightmunicipalitieshavecontractswithAccertaand the informationwas foundon theAccertawebsite.Theinformationwouldbemoretransparenttodentalofficesbutlesstoclientsinthesecases.5Forfiveofthe12municipalities,althoughthereisnopublicinformationeasilyaccessible,informationwasobtaineddirectlyfromtheAccertawebsite.Intermsoftransparency,an“A”ratingisthemostdesirable.Thismeansthatboththeclientandpotentialdentalproviderhaveaclearindicationofwhatwillbecoveredorpaidforbythemunicipaladministrator.Forthesurveyperiodin2017,thisrepresentedapproximatelyoneinfourmunicipaladministrators.Attheotherendofthespectrum,categoryF,therewasonlyanindicationthatdiscretionarydentalbenefitsmightbeavailable.Withineachprogram,therewasvariationintheleveloftransparency.Theareaofleasttransparency(withtheexceptionofthosewithpublishedplans)wasrelatedtodentureplans.Incomparisontoemergencyplans,fordentureplans,therewasoftennoinformationatallorastatementindicatingclientscouldspeakwiththeircaseworkertoseeifassistanceisavailable.Themajorityofprogramsdoprovideinformationonline;however,inanumberofcasesfindinginformationrelatedtoprogramswasdifficult.Fortheseprograms,municipaladministratorswerecontactedtoseekadditioninformation.Whileinformationrelatedtoseveralplanswasobtainedthroughtheirassistance,inmanycasesthemunicipaladministratorshadnoinformationavailableandindicatedthatclientswouldneedtospeakwithaninternalcaseworkertoobtaininformation.And
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often,thecaseworkerwouldonlysupplyinformationtoindividualswhowereregisteredintheprogram.AsignificantsourceofadditionalinformationwasobtainedfromPHUsandisreflectedincategoryD,whereinformationrelatedtodentalservicesofferedbythemunicipaladministratorcouldbefoundthroughthePHUwebsite.Thesewebsitesfrequentlyofferedsummariesofalldentalprogramsandservicesbycategory(children,adults,lowincomeandseniors,includingadultsonOW)thatwereavailableinthatjurisdictionorsurroundingjurisdictions.Inthesejurisdictions,clientsseekingadditionalinformationarethusmorelikelytocallthePHU.Astheresultsdemonstrate,theextenttowhichassistanceisavailablevariesandinformationrelatedtotheprogramscanbeopaque.Althoughalladministratorsoffersomeassistance,thereisvariationinhoweasyitistoanswerabasicquestion:WhathelpisavailabletomeifIhaveatoothacheandamanadultonOntarioWorks?Itispossibletogetaclearanswertothisquestionfromsomemunicipaladministrators.Inothercases,adentalofficethatacceptsOWclientsintheirareawillhavetoprovidetheinformationandcanassistandexplaintheentitlements.Andinothercases,themunicipaladministratorstates“itdepends,”andclientsneedtospeakwithanOWcaseworkerdirectly,whereinsomecasestheclientisrequiredtoobtainestimatesfromdentalofficespriortoassistancebeingapproved.Ultimately,formanyOWclientsinOntario,itisdifficulttoknowiftheycanobtainassistancefortheirdentalproblemsorwhethertheywillberesponsibleforpayingforaportionorallofthecostsofcare.Thesetwofactorsarebarrierstoseekingandreceivingdentalcare.WhilePHUscanbeakeysourceofinformationandmayhelpclientsnavigatingthesystem,thisisnotconsistentacrossOntarioeither.Transparencyintermsofprocessisalsoimportanttoproviders.Indeed,aprovider’sdecisiontoparticipateinaprogramandacceptOWclientsarguablyrelatestotheeaseofofficestaffconfirmingaclientiseligiblefortheprogram,clarityaroundservicesthatarecoveredwithminimalrequirementforfollow-upwiththirdparties(predeterminationoradditionalrequests),availabilityofinformationdirectlyrelatedtothelevelsofreimbursement(feestobepaid),aswellasaclearindicationofthelimitationsinthescopeofprocedures,andpromptpaymentpreferablythroughanelectronicsubmissionandpaymentsystem.Whentheseelementsarenotinplaceorreadilyavailablethereisanincreasedlikelihoodthataproviderwilloptnottoparticipateinagovernmentplan.43.3 ProgramAdministration:ApprovalofCoveredServices,AdjudicationandPaymentofClaimsDiscretionarydentalbenefitshavebeenavailableforsocialassistancerecipientsinOntarioforatleastfivedecades.5Municipaladministratorsassessanindividual’slevelofeligibilityfordentalassistancetoaddresstheirdentalneedsandbalancetheneedtoprovideshort-termassistancewithavailablefunding.
4See:QuiñonezCR,FigueiredoR,LockerD.Canadiandentists'opinionsonpubliclyfinanceddentalcare.Journalofpublichealthdentistry.2009Mar;69(2):64-73; Quiñonez C, Figueiredo R, Azarpazhooh A, Locker D. Public preferences for seeking publicly financed dental care andprofessionalpreferencesforstructuringit.Communitydentistryandoralepidemiology.2010Apr;38(2):152-8.5See:QuiñonezC,SherretL,GrootendorstP,ShimMS,AzarpazhoohA,LockerD.Anenvironmentalscanofprovincial/territorialdentalpublichealthprograms.OfficeoftheChiefDentalOfficer,HealthCanada;2007.
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TherearespecificmandatorybenefitsorentitlementsforeligibleOWrecipients(e.g.adefinedmonthlyallowance),andOWclientshavearighttoappealthedecisionsofmunicipaladministrators(generallywhentheadministratorhasdeniedbenefits)totheSocialBenefitsTribunal(SBT).Importantly,municipaladministratorssetpolicieswithrespecttoeligibilityfordiscretionarybenefits,whichcannotbeappealedtotheSBT.Municipaladministratorsdeterminethescopeofbenefitstobeofferedandgenerallyadministerthesebenefitsdirectly(issueavoucherorrequisitionforthespecifiedservice);however,arrangementswithathird-partyclaims-payeroraPHU(departmentorBoardofHealth)alsoexist.Beyondtheadministrativearrangementstherearealsovariationsinprogramdelivery.Table7belowsummarizestheadministrativeapproachestoadjudicatingandreimbursingprovidersforcoveredservices.Asdescribed,approximately40%ofdiscretionarydentalbenefitsareadministereddirectlybyOWadministrators.Thepercentageishigherfordentureplans,assomeOWadministratorsthathavethird-partyarrangementsstillretainadministrationofthedentureplancomponent.ThesearenotedinthedetailedsummaryinformationrelatedtoplansfoundinAppendixA–ComparisonofDentalCoverage.Approximately33%areusingthirty-partyclaimadjudicationarrangements,primarilyAccertaorintwocasesGreat-WestLife.Approximately24%havearrangementwithaPHUstooverseetheirprograms.Theapproachvaries,includingadjudicatingspecificdentalbenefitsandreimbursingclaims,assessingandauthorizingspecifictreatment,and/orprovidingcaredirectlythroughpublicclinics.Table7.AdministrativeapproachestoadjudicatingandreimbursingprovidersApproach Description
CountofOWmunicipal
administrators
Directlyadministered
OWadministratordirectlyauthorizesandpaysforservices 21
Third-partyadministered
OWadministratorhascontractedwiththird-partytoadjudicateandpayforserviceclaims
15
PHUadministered
OWadministratorhaspartneredwithPHUtoprovidearangeofadministrativeservices,fromadjudicationandpaymentofserviceclaims,toprovidingcaredirectlyinPHUdentalclinics
11
Ingeneralterms,thefollowingaretheprogrambenefitadministrationapproaches:
1. Definedbenefitandpayment.Thedentalproviderandpatientdeterminethecourseoftreatmentandthemunicipaladministratoragreestoreimburseeligibleproceduresundertermsofthecontract.Theentitlementsavailablemayormaynotaddressalltreatmentneeds.Noadditionalconsiderationforcareexitsoutsideoftheprogramlimitations.Themajorityofmunicipaladministratorspayfordiscretionarydentalservicesdirectly.One-thirdhasengagedathird-partycarriertoadjudicateandpayclaims.
2. Definedbenefitandpaymentwithconsiderationtoadditionalexpenses.Similarto1;however,
themunicipaladministratormayapproveadditionalassistanceonacase-by-casebasis.Third-partyadministratorsarenotinvolvedinthisprocessandOWadministratorsauthorizetheadditionalexpensesdirectly.
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3. Caseworkerrequest/approval.Theclientrequestsassistancewithdentalcareandtheircaseworkerprovidesa“requisition”tocoversomeportionofthevisit.Thiscantakeavarietyofformsfromarequisitionthatwillcoveramaximumcostforthevisitproblemtoapprovingaspecificestimateforservicesthatissubmittedbytheproviderorclient.
4. Pre-assessmentandauthorization.Clientsrequestassistanceandarescreenedorasubmission
reviewedbyadentalprofessionalandaspecificauthorizationforcareisprovidedtotheclientthattheclientcanthentaketoadentist.Insomeinstances,theassessmentisbeingdoneinpublichealthclinicsthatoffer“preventive”and“cleanings”butdonotprovidefillingsandextractions,whichtheyauthorizeandtheclientcanthenseeaprivatedentist.
5. Directdelivery.OWclientsattendpublicclinicsandseeastaffdentist.Thedentistassessesthe
clientandprovidescare.Programslikethishaveadegreeofflexibilitytoexpandwhatisofferedbasedontheclient’sneedsthatmaybebeyondadefinedschedulewhilestillconsistentwithstabilizinganindividual’sdentalcondition.Theseclinicsoperateonacost-recoverybasisandmayormaynothaveadditionalgovernmentcontributions.Forexample,theCityofOttawahasusedthisapproachforover30yearsandhasfourclinicstoserveadultsreceivingOWamongitspatientgroup.
6. Mixeddelivery.OWclientsareprovidedemergencylevelcoverageorbenefitsbutcanalso
attendpublicclinicsthatmayofferadditionalbasiccare.Forexample,theCityofTorontohasopeneditpublicclinicstoOWrecipientsspecificallyforthisreason.
Giventheabove,itisclearthatmunicipaladministratorshaveconsiderableflexibilityinhowprogramsaredesignedanddelivered,particularlybecausethesearecompletelydiscretionarybenefits.Thisisreflectedintheadministrativeapproaches,variationinprogramdelivery,andthebenefitsoffered.Cost-sharingwasanimportantincentivetoprovidingtheseserviceswhentheprovincepaid80%ofthecostofdiscretionaryhealthbenefits(includingdentalcare).Withtheintroductionofper-capitafundingfordiscretionarybenefits,thereareindicationsthatthedesignanddeliveryoftheseprogramsisevolving.Forexample,third-partyadministrationisincreasinglycommon-place,whetherselectedthroughaformaltenderingprocess(Toronto),sole-sourcedtoaspecificprovider(Renfrew),orareacontinuationofarrangementsthathavebeeninplaceformanyyears(Ottawa,Waterloo,Hamilton).Engagingathird-partygenerallysignalsthatthemunicipaladministratorhasmovedawayfrommakingdeterminationsinternallyonacase-by-casebasistoadoptingadefinedbenefitwithuniformclaimsprocessing.Thistendstoprovidegreaterclaritytoprovidersandtoclientsaboutwhatcareiscovered,andissuggestedtoachievecostcontainmentthroughplandesignthatlimitstherangeandfrequencyofservices.Accerta,forinstance,claimsthattheyhelp“provide[municipal]clientswithacomprehensive,high-qualityoralhealthcaresocialservicesprogramwhilecurtailingcosts,reducingfraudulentclaims,andincreasingoverallefficiency.”6PHUsalsoactasthird-partyprocessorsforsomemunicipaladministrators.TheyperformthesamefunctionsasclaimprocessingandpaymentcompaniessuchasAccertaandGreat-WestLife.Someincorporateadditionalreviewandauthorizationfunctionsandtakemoreofaprogrammaticapproachthatincorporatesplandesign,assessmentofclinicalcircumstancesandauthorizationofadditionalcarethatisoutsideofadefinedplan.Plans/programsadministeredbyPHUshavehigherlevelsofpreandpostdeterminationsincorporatedintotheadministrationingeneralbasedonthereviewofthe
6See:Accerta.DentalCarePlanManagement.Availableat:https://www.accerta.ca/dental
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documentedplans,policiesandproceduresherein.Theseaddedaccountabilitymeasuresaredesignedtoarguablycontaincostsbylimitedreimbursementbutalsohaveprovisionstoapproveadditionalcareundercertaincircumstancestoaddressaspecificclient’shealthneeds.Basedonproviderdiscussionsconductedbytheauthorsofthisreport,thisdoesresultinaddedeffort,timedelaysandhasthepotentialforproviderstofeeltheyhavetounnecessarilyjustifythecaretheyareproviding.Additionaladministrativeburdenisafactorinproviderselectingnottoacceptgovernmentplans.73.4 ProgramEligibilityforDentalBenefitsAllmunicipaladministratorsoffersomeformofassistancewithemergencydentalneedstoadultclients,between18and65yearsofage,whiletheyareeligibleforOW.Table8belowsummarizesthetypicallevelofdiscretionarybenefitsofferedandarereflectiveoflocalpolicyrelatedtoreliefofpainonly,tobroaderemergencydentalcare,andwhetherdenturebenefitsareoffered.Table8.LevelofdiscretionarybenefitsofferedDescription CountofOW
municipaladministrators
Assistancewiththecostofemergencydentalcare:Adultsanddependentsovertheageof18uptothelastmonthadultisinreceiptofOW
14
Assistancewiththecostofemergencydentalcareanddentures:Adultsanddependentsovertheageof18uptothelastmonthadultisinreceiptofOW
20
Assistancewiththecostofemergencydentalcareandwithapre-reviewforassistancewithdentures:Adultsanddependentsovertheageof18uptothelastmonthadultisinreceiptofOW
5
Reliefofpainonly:Adultsanddependentsovertheageof18uptothelastmonthadultisinreceiptofOW
7
Pre-reviewbyOWadministratortoseeifassistancemaybeprovided:Adultsanddependentsovertheageof18uptothelastmonthadultisinreceiptofOW
1
TheOWclientstatementofbenefitsservesasproofofeligibilityinmostjurisdictions.Theclientpresentsthisstatementatthetimeofavisittoadentalofficeasproofofeligibility.Themaindifferenceineligibilityiswhetheraprovidercanproceedandprovidecarewithinthescopeofbenefitsavailable(automaticallyeligible)orwhetheraspecificrequesthastobemadebytheclientorthedentalprovideronbehalfoftheclientbeforetreatmentcanproceed.Forsomemunicipaladministratorsbothemergencydentalanddenturesbenefitsareautomaticallyprovidedtoeligiblerecipients.Forothermunicipaladministrators,clientsareautomaticallyeligiblefortheemergencydentalplanhoweverdentureplanassistancemustbepreauthorized.Sevenmunicipaladministratorsprovidecoveragethataddressesreliefofpainonlywhereremovingatoothbutarelessclearastowhetherafillingofatoothmightbecovered.Caseworkersaremoredirectlyinvolvedinapprovingthebenefitinsuchcases.Itisdifficulttoaccesswritteninternalmunicipaladministrativeguidelines;however,anelectroniccopywasprovidedbyManitoulin-Sudbury.Manitoulin-Sudburyisanexampleofamunicipaladministratorthathasathird-partyprocessercontractedtoadjudicateandpayclaimstodentaloffices(Accerta).Their
7See:QuiñonezCR,FigueiredoR,LockerD.Canadiandentists'opinionsonpubliclyfinanceddentalcare.Journalofpublichealthdentistry.2009Mar;69(2):64-73; Quiñonez C, Figueiredo R, Azarpazhooh A, Locker D. Public preferences for seeking publicly financed dental care andprofessionalpreferencesforstructuringit.Communitydentistryandoralepidemiology.2010Apr;38(2):152-8.
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policyallowsforadditionalcareoutsidethatplantobeauthorizedandpaidfordirectlybythemunicipaladministrator.ThefollowingisanexcerptfromtheManitoulin-SudburyDistrictServicesBoard,policyandproceduremanuallastrevisedJanuary2009:
Emergencyisdefinedasbeinganunscheduledeventwhereanindividualappearsinimmediatedistressandrequirescare,andimmediateappropriatetreatmentisneededtocorrecttheproblem.TheDirectorofIntegratedSocialServicesmayapprovecostsfordentalservicesprovidedtoadultmembersofthebenefitunitfor:Emergencydentalcare(dentalserviceswhicharenecessarytorelievepainorformedicalortherapeuticreasons);Dentalcarewhichsupportstheperson’semployabilityorparticipationrequirements(e.g.orthodonticanddentureservices);AnyexceptionalcircumstanceswheredeemedmedicallynecessaryatthediscretionoftheDirectorofIntegratedSocialServicestakingintoconsiderationtheHealthandWelfareoftheindividual.Thisserviceisavailabletoparticipantsandbeneficiarieswhoarenotdependentchildren.DentalcoveragefordependentchildrenisamandatoryitemofassistanceunderOW.
Basedonanumberofconversationswithmunicipaladministrators,aswellastwooftheauthors’(AB,CQ)experiencetreatingpatientsorconsultingfordifferentpublicdentalprogramsacrossOntario,manymunicipaladministratorshavesimilarinternalprocedurestoapproveadditionalassistanceoutsideofprescribedbenefitplans.Thenumberofprogramsthatprovideadditionalassistanceisnotpossibletodetermineandwouldrequiresignificantfollow-upanddiscussionwithmunicipaladministrators.Giventheabove,itisclearthatallmunicipaladministratorsoffersomeformofemergencydentalbenefitorassistance.Municipaladministrators,withformalplansforbothemergencydentalanddenturebenefits,haveinessencecreatedaquasi-mandatorybenefit.Clientscanaccesscareasneededandreceivetreatmentanddentalofficesarereimbursedinaccordancewithspecificserviceandfrequencylimitations.Theprimaryobjectiveofthisapproachisarguablytoachieveclarityofbenefitsreimbursedandtoadministerplansthataredesignedtoensuresomelevelofcost-containment.Othermunicipaladministratorssee“dental”asacompletelydiscretionarybenefitwiththedeterminationmadebycaseworkers.Minimalpainrelief(forexamplecostofanextraction)arereimbursedaspartofasingleemergencyappointmentwithadditionalservicesbeyondthefirstappointmentrequiringpre-approval.Thisresultsinuncertaintyforboththeclientsanddentaloffices.Basedonthereviewofmunicipaladministrators’websitematerials,factorsrelatedtoqualityoflife,health,andemployabilityarepartoftheoverallgoalsforprovidingdiscretionaryassistance,whichsupportoralhealthgoalsandobjectiveslessdirectly.Onlyafterpre-approvalisreceivedwillclientsknowwhatserviceswillbeprovided.Dentalofficesarerequiredtoprepareestimatesandwaitfornotificationofauthorizationpriortoproceedingwithcare.Thecriteriausedtodeterminewhatwillbeauthorizedornotauthorizedbymunicipaladministrativestaffisgenerallynotpubliclyavailable.Importantly,somejurisdictions(Ottawa)havesystematicassessmenttoolsandpoliciesthatareusedbystaffdentiststoreview,performandapprovereferralforcare.3.5 SupplementalPublicClinicsandAccesstoCareforAdultsReceivingOWThemajorityofmunicipalitiesuseadefinedbenefitplanwhereprivateprovidersdelivercareandarereimbursedforservicesprovidedthroughaclaimsadjudicationandpaymentprocess.Adjudicationandclaimspaymentprocessesareincreasinglyrapidandprovidedbyanumberofthird-partyadministratorsandinsurancecarriers.TherehasbeenatrendtowardscentralizationofclaimspaymentforsocialassistanceinOntario(HealthySmilesOntario(HSO)andODSP).Theapproachreliesonaclearsetof
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proceduresthatdefinewhichproceduresareeligibleforreimbursement.Themajorlimitationisthat,bydesign,claimsadjudicatingandpaymentprocessesmustmeetfinancialparameterswhilenotnecessarilyaddressingthecareneedsofallclients.ThereareagrowingnumberofOntariocommunitieswhere,inadditiontothedefinedbenefitsplans,fixedpublicclinicshavebeenestablished(Toronto,Kingston,Hawkesbury,Tweed,NorthBay,Cornwallasexamples),ashavemobilepublicclinics(NiagaraRegion,HamiltonandPeel),withtheinitialcapitalcostssupportedbyprovincialandlocalinitiativesandoperatingfundsderivedfromvarioussources.Theseclinicshaveprogramsthatserveprimarilylow-incomeOntarianswhohavedifficultyaccessingprivatecare(somealsoincluderecipientsoftheFederalNon-InsuredHealthBenefits(NIHB),ODSPandOWprograms).Theseclinicalprogramsweredevelopedindependentlyofoneanotherandthereisconsiderablevariationintheiroperationsandservicesoffered.Thelevelofintegrationwiththelocalmunicipaladministratorandothernot-for-profitorganizationslikecommunityhealthcentresandPHUsalsovaries.Insomeinstances,thehostnot-for-profitorganizationhasaspecificcontractualandfundingarrangementinplacewithmunicipaladministrators.Inothercases,OWclientsareacceptedbytheclinicandtheclinicisreimbursedforservicessimilartootherprovidersorreceivesblockfundingthattheclinicshadow-billsagainst.Dependingonfunding,clinicsofferservicesfromonetofivedaysormoreperweek.Theclinicsgenerallyofferthesamelevelofcaretoallclientswhoseekservicesandfunctionasadirectaccessclinicalprogram.Demandforservicesishighandthereforeeffectivemanagementoftheservicesofferediscriticaltoensureurgentproblemsareprioritized.TheCityofOttawaistheonlymunicipaladministratorthatprovidesdirectcaretoalladultsreceivingOW.Themunicipaladministrator(abranchofcitygovernment)hasenteredintoanagreementwithOttawaPublicHealth.Underthisagreement,OttawaPublicHealthisresponsibleforalldental-relatedmattersforOWclients.OWprogramstaffarenotabletogeneraterequisitionsrelatedtodentalservicesanddirecttheirclientsforalldental-relatedmatterstotheclosestclinic.Throughtheclinics,clientsareoffereddentalserviceswithreferralstospecialistsarrangedasrequired.OttawaoperatesthreeclinicscurrentlyspecificallydedicatedtoadultsreceivingOWandlow-incomeindividuals,aswellaschildrenthroughtheHSOprogram.8Thefinancialeligibilityfortheprogramisconfirmedbythemunicipaladministratorthroughacentralizedfinancialassessmentprocess.AllOWclientsareeligibletoreceiveservicesatanyofthethreeclinics.DentalcardsorproofofeligibilityforOWarenotrequiredbecausedentalclinicsarepartofthecity’sintegratedinformationsystem.Theprogramhaswell-developedpolicyandassessmentparametersforthecaretobeprovided.Theprogramprioritizesurgentproblems,offerssame-dayornext-dayappointmentsandfocusesonmeasurestohelppreventfurtherproblems.TheprogramencouragesadultsreceivingOWtotakeadvantageofthetwodentalhygienetrainingprogramsatthetwocommunitycollegestohelpmaintaintheiroralhealthoncetheurgentproblemorproblemshavebeenaddressed.DenturesareofferedthroughaspecificpartnershipprogramwiththeOttawaDentalandDenturistSocieties.Staffdentistsassessandauthorizingspecificdentureservices.Thisapproachwasintroduced
8OttawaPublicHealthoperatesadentalclinicattheWabanoCentreandprovidesdentalservicestoIndigenousadultsincludingthosewhoareinreceiptofOW.
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inthelate1990’sandresultedinbetteroutcomesbecauseitensuredthatclientshadallthenecessarypre-workcompletedpriortothepatientshavingtheirpartialorfulldenturesmade.Staffdentistscanpreauthorizeadditionalserviceswhererequiredtoimproveoutcomesandworkdirectlywithexternalproviders.Overallthough,basedonareviewoftheplansobtainedforthisstudy,themajorityofmunicipaladministratorsareusingadefineddentalbenefitplanthatfunctionsinasimilarmannertoemployer-sponsoredplans,butoffermorelimitedcoveragewhencomparedtoemployer-sponsoredplans(whichincludemorecoveredproceduresandopportunityforregularvisitsandmaintenance).Importantly,inmanycommunitiestheOWadultplanswillpayforurgentcarethatotherlow-incomeOntarianscannotafford.Andoneofthekeyissuesrelatedtothisistheissueutilization,meaningdentalplansforlow-incomeOntarianshavehigherutilizationratesthannon-insuredpopulationsyetlowerutilizationratesthanemployer-sponsoredplans.9Giventhis,alimitednumberofmunicipaladministratorsfundlocalprogramswhichallowlow-incomeadultstoaccessthesamediscretionarybenefitsasadultsreceivingOW.Inaddition,OWadministratorsincommunitiesincludingKingston,Cornwall,andTweed,forexample,reportedtotheresearchersthattheyopenedpublicclinicstoassistagrowingnumberofindividualswhocannotaffordtoaccesscareandthatarenotcoveredbypublicprograms.Theclinicsoperatebasedonacombinationoffee-for-service,grants,localfundingandorlocalcharitablecontributions.Althoughtheseapproachesappeartohaveincreasedinrecentyears,theyremaintheexceptionratherthanthenorm.3.6 AssessmentandComparisonofBenefitsOfferedtoAdultsReceivingOWInOntario,servicesperformedbydentists(examination,diagnosis,fillingsetc.)havespecificdescriptionsandareassignedaspecificfive-digitnumericcode.TheseservicedescriptionsandtheircorrespondingcodesarereferredtoastheUniformSystemofCodingandListofServices(USC&LS).TheUSC&LSisproducedandownedbytheCanadianDentalAssociation.InOntario,theOntarioDentalAssociation(ODA)producestheODASuggestedFeeGuideforGeneralPractitioners,whichassignsasuggestedfeetospecificcodesfromtheUSC&LS.SpecialityassociationsinOntarioalsoproducetheirownschedulesfortheirmembers.Aruleofthumbisthatspecialistfeesare20%higherthangeneralpractitionerfees.Governmentdentalplans,likeOW,HSOorODSP,usetheUSC&LSunderlicense.ThesepublicplanscontainaselectionorpartiallistofcodesthatappearintheODAsuggestedfeeguideandarereimbursedunderthetermsofthepublicplan(totalfeeandfrequency).TheHSOandODSPplansarecommonlyreferredtoas“basicdentalplans”.Asanexample,takingandinterpretingapanoramicradiographicisdescribedbycode02601,iscoveredonceeveryfiveyears,isreimbursedat$31.54forageneraldentistor$37.85foraregistereddentalspecialistlicensedbytheRoyalCollegeofDentistsofOntario(RCDSO).OWadultplans(withacoupleofexceptions)coverfewerservices(codes)orlowerallowancesorfrequencyandarecommonlyreferredtoas“emergencydentalplans”.Wheremunicipaladministrators
9See:QuiñonezC,SherretL,GrootendorstP,ShimMS,AzarpazhoohA,LockerD.Anenvironmentalscanofprovincial/territorialdentalpublichealthprograms.OfficeoftheChiefDentalOfficer,HealthCanada;2007;QuiñonezC,FigueiredoR.Sorrydoctor,Ican’taffordtherootcanal,Ihaveajob:Canadiandentalcarepolicyandtheworkingpoor.CanadianJournalofPublicHealth.2010Nov1;101(6):481-5;RamrajC,SadeghiL,LawrenceHP,DempsterL,QuiñonezC.Isaccessingdentalcarebecomingmoredifficult?EvidencefromCanada'smiddle-incomepopulation.PloSone.2013Feb20;8(2):e57377.
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coverservicesbyissuingarequisitioninresponsetoanestimatesuppliedbytheclientfromadentaloffice,theactualservicescovered,feesassessedandwhatisactuallyreimbursedislessclear.Thisreviewwasabletoobtain26publishedplansrepresenting56%ofmunicipaladministratorsacrossOntario.Theremainingadministratorsdonothavepublishedplansorschedulesthatcanbereferenced.TherearenotwoplansinOntariothatareexactlyalike,butanattempthasbeenmadetocomparethembasedonaseriesofparameters(seemethodssection).AppendixA–ComparisonofDentalCoverageprovidesadetaileddescriptionoftheuniquefeaturesofeachofthe26benefitplans,butingeneralterms,itcanbesaidthatthereisvariationbasedon:
• Specificservicesbeingcovered• Frequencywithwhichcertainservicesarecovered• Inclusionofcertaintreatmentsforallteeth• Exclusionofcertaintreatmentsforcertainteeth• Amountoftimereimbursedforservicesthatarebilledbasedonatimebasis• Limitstothetotalamountthatcanbereimbursedina12-monthperiodorotherperiod• ReimbursementoffeesasoutlinedintheMCCSSfeeguide,and• Otherspecificfeaturessuchaswhenexceptionscanbecoveredorarespecificallynot
considered.Itcannotbeoverstatedthatthevariationacrossandwithintheparametersmakesitdifficulttoestablishandidentifycommonalitiesamongstplans.Table9belowisadescriptivesummarythatillustrateswherethereiscommonality(likelypointingtothediversity)inthediscretionarydentalbenefitsofferedbyOWadministratorsthroughtheadultdentalplans.Table9.Commonality(diversity)indiscretionarydentalbenefitsParameter Descriptionofcommonality(diversity)Annualreimbursementlevels
Eightof26planshavea12-monthtotalreimbursementmaximum:Wellington$1,000,Grey$1000,Huron$1000,Peterborough$600,Renfrew$500,ParrySound$425,SimcoeCo.$400,andWindsor$300.Allremainingplansdonothaveanannuallimit.
Reimbursementperdentistorperclient
Thelimitationsaregenerallyperpatientpertimeframe.Insomeplansandforsomeservicesthewordingisperdentist.
Fullexaminations Threemunicipaladministrators,Peterborough(1/60months),YorkRegion(1/60months),andSaultSt.Marie(1/36months),coveracompleteexaminationatdifferentfrequencies.PeterboroughwillprovidecoverageforarecallexaminationafterninemonthsandYorkwillmatchthesamelevelofbenefitasODSPadultrecipients.Noneoftheotherplansincludearecallexamination.
Radiographs Coveragevariessignificantlybetweenplans.Forexample,ParrySoundwillreimbursethreeperiapicalradiographs(PA)peremergencyvisit,whileThunderBayorNorthumberlandreimbursethreePAevery12months.Thereisvariationaswhetherbitewing(BW)radiographsareincludedinthecountswithPA,inadditiontoPA,ornotincludedatall.ParrySoundcoverstwoBWeveryninemonths,TorontoreimbursessixPAorBWina12-monthperiod,whereasPeterborough,YorkandThunderBayallowforeightPAin12monthsandtwoBW.Durhamwillreimburseforthreefilmsclaimedinathree-monthperiodincludingBW.Incontrast,SaultSt.Marieprovidesforfivefilmsina12-monthperiod.Torontoexcludespanoramicradiographs(PAN),whileThunderBay,WellingtonandGreyCountyincludeaPANaspartofthetotalcountofthreeradiographsper12-months,whereasSaultSt.MariewillreimburseforaPANonceevery36monthsandPeterboroughonceevery24months.
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Preventiveservices Scaling,polishingandfluoridetreatmentsareincludedinPeterborough’splan($600totalplanreimbursementlimitper12months).YorkRegion’splancoversscalingandfluoridetreatmentbutnotpolishing.NorthumberlandincludesuptofourunitsofscalingforOWadultwomenduringpregnancy.
Posteriorcomposites
Thesefillingsinthemolarteethareincludedasabenefitinallplans,exceptforToronto,wheretheyarenotanincludedbenefit.Torontowillreimburseforsilveramalgamfillingsinthemolarteeth.YorkandHamiltonincludeposteriorcompositesbutonlyreimbursethesamefeeasforanamalgamrestoration(feesarelower).PlansadministeredthroughAccertacontainageneraldisclaimerrelatedtoonlyreimbursingsilveramalgamfeesifatoothisfilledwithtwoseparatematerialsatthesametimebutdoreimbursehigherfeesforcompositerestorations.
Rootcanaltherapy(RCT)
PeterboroughwillcoverRCT.Yorkwillcoveroneortwocanaledteeth,SaultSt.MariewillreimburseforRCTonthefrontteeth(nocoverageforpremolarormolarteeth),Durhamrequirespredeterminationandcoversonlythefrontteethandlimitsthereimbursementtothefeeforonecanal.ParrySound,Simcoecoverone-canaledteeth.Fortheremainderofmunicipalities,includingToronto,ThunderBay,Wellington,GreyCounty,Windsor,Stratford,partialRCT(pulpectomy)iscovered.
Basicanddifficultextractions
Allplanscoverbasicandcomplexextractions.Durhamrequirespredeterminationforremovalofwisdomteeththatareimpacted.Allplans,withtheexceptionofToronto,paytore-implantatooththathasbeendislodgedorknockedout.TheMuskokaandSimcoeOWareaplansrequiretheprovidertosubmitanexplanationanddetailsoftheproceduresusedwhensubmittingforcomplexextractions.
Sedation Mostadministratorsdonotofferreimbursementprovidinggeneralanesthesia,deepsedationorconscioussedation.Peterborough,HuronandPeelcoveruptoeightunits(1.5hours)ofsedationpervisit.Torontowillreimburseforconscioussedationuptoeightunitsperyear.SaultSt.Mariereimbursesuptosixunits(75minutes)ofanycombinationofgeneralanesthesia,deepsedationorconscioussedationina12-monthperiod,whereasHamiltonwillreimbursefourunitsina12-monthperiod.TheSimcoeandMuskokaareaplanshaveprovisionstoconsidersedationunderverylimitedcircumstancesandrequireanexpertletterjustifyingthemedicalneedpriortobeingconsideredandauthorised
Intermsofdentureplans,ofthe46municipalities,13(25%)havepublisheddentureplans.Thisdoesnotnecessarilymeanthatothermunicipalitiesdonotprovidesuchassistance,astheymaybeofferedonacase-by-casebasisdirectlythroughcontactwithacaseworker.Liketheplansdescribedabove,therearenotwoplansthatarethesame.AnassessmentofeachplanisalsoincludedinAppendixA–ComparisonofDentalCoverage.Thedatahighlightsthefollowing:someplansaremoregenerousandwillprovidefornewdentures(onceeveryfiveyears),allowformorefrequentrepairsandmaintenance,periodicreliningorrebasingtoaddressmanydenture-relatedneedsand/orextendthelifeofanexistingdenture;otherscontainfewerservices(relinesorrebasesnotcovered),havelongerreplacementfrequencies,excludecastpartialdenturesandcaptotalreimbursementindifferentways.
Toillustratethevariation,Northumberlandwillcoveranewpairofdenturesevery60monthsbutnotrelinesorrepairstoexistingdenturesorthoseconstructedundertheplan.Torontocoversasetofdenturesorpartialseveryfiveyears(coversonlyacrylictypepartials),arelineonceevery36monthsand$88dollarsreimbursementina12-monthperiodforrepair.Haltonincontrastcoversanewfullorpartialdentureseveryfiveyears,uptofourrepairsperyearandcoverstissueconditioning,whichmostplansdonotinclude.SaultSt.Mariecoversanewdenturebenefitonceinalifetime,onerepairandarelineeverytwoyears.
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Therewasalsonoconsistencyintermsoffeespaidfordenture-relatedservices.Forexample,Durhamwillreimburseamaximumfeeof$580.27perdentureandSaultSt.Marie$495.00.Theoppositeistrueforrelines/rebases,whereDurhamreimburses$163.86andSaultSt.Mariereimbursesamaximumfeeof$180.Fromthepointofviewofpolicy,thefollowingstatementfromWellingtonisreflectiveofthegeneralpolicyintentofmostplans:
Theintentofcoverage-PlansponsorsdoNOTintendtoprovideon-going,regulardentalcarefortheirclients.Theintentofthisplanistoprovideemergencycareonlywiththeconstraintsofthisprogram.Anemergencyinvolvesbleeding,pain,infectionortrauma.Itrequirestreatmentofasymptomaticpatientwhenthepatientappearsindistressandappropriatetreatmentisinstitutedforthatspecificemergencyproblem(s).Resolutionoftheproblemmayrequiremorethanoneappointment.
Whilemostoftheplandesignsemphasizeprovidingalimitedcourseoftreatment,allgenerallyreimbursethecostofabasicexam,aradiograph(s)andassistancetoremoveatooth,ortoplaceaverybasicfilling,whichisinconsistentwiththestatedintentofthepolicies.AnotherkeyissueisthelackofclarityforanOWadultclientintermsofthelevelofassistancetheycanreceiverelatedtoaparticulardentalproblem.Theinformationinplansisdesignedandtargetedtodentalprofessionalsandthelimitationsandservicescoveredarecomplexforthegeneralreaderorsomeonethatisnotfamiliarwithdentalterminology.AndincontrasttootherdiscretionarybenefitswhereanOWcaseworkercan,inrelativeterms,accuratelydescribethebenefit(assistancewitheyeglassesforexample),dentalcarerequiresexaminationanddiscussionwithaprovider.Afurtherandrelatedconsiderationisthat,whileextrabillingisnotpermittedforserviceswithintheplan,dentistsarepermittedtochargeforservicesoutsidetheplan.Thus,thereisthepotentialforclientstobeunsureaboutthelevelofassistanceavailableandconcernedaboutthepotentialofhavingtopayforsomeservices.Basedontheexperienceoftwooftheauthors(AB,CQ)inmanagingandadjudicatingdentalservicesforsocialservicesadultrecipients,thiscanresultinOWclientseitherdelayingornotseekingcare.ThediversityinplansalsomeansthatinsomeareasofOntario,theassistanceofferedcanhelpOWclientsmaintainorpotentiallyimprovetheiroralhealthduringthetimetheyareonassistance(Peterborough,YorkandtoalesserextentOttawa),whereasinotherareasofOntario(suchasWindsor),offersofassistancecoveronlyonedentalproblemorpossiblyasecondinstanceiftherearefundsremainingwithintheirannualdollarvaluelimit.ThisisconsistentwiththenotionthatOWis“shorttermassistance”andverybasicsupportsareprovidedtoclientstoachieveself-sufficiencyintheshortesttimepossible.Thisalsomeansthatplansdonotconsideranindividual’sbaselineoralhealthor“timeonassistance,”specificallycaseswhereindividualsreturntosocialassistancerepeatedly,orwhereassistanceisongoingandintergenerational,whichasindicatorsofpoverty,alsolikelymeansthatoralhealthstatusispoorerthanmoresocioeconomicallystableOntarians.10Sedation(specificallynitrousoxide,intravenoussedationandgeneralanesthesia)isapolicyareawhichrequirescarefulconsiderationwhendesigningpublicprograms.Therehasbeenconsiderableexpansion
10See:SadeghiL,MansonH,QuiñonezC.ReportonaccesstodentalcareandoralhealthinequalitiesinOntario.PublicHealthOntario;2013.
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inthepromotionandavailabilityofsedationindentalpracticeinOntario;whileatthesametime,thereisdeclineinthenumberofpractitionerswhotreatveryanxiouspatientsbecauseoftheadditionaldemands(timeandemotion)onthedentalteamtoproperlysupportaclientwithdentalanxiety,whichisarguablymadeworsewhencoupledwithlowerreimbursementrates.11Aswasnotedinthefindingsonlyfivemunicipaladministratorsincludeassistancewiththecostsofsedationandthereisvariationintheamountcovered(twoothersofferlimitedreimbursementunderexceptionalmedicalcircumstances).Sedationcostsoftenequalorexceedthecostoftreatmentprovidedduringanappointmentandarethereforenotinsignificant.Someofthefiveplanshavelanguagethatspecificallyexcludessedationrelatedtoanxietyorfearofthedentist,andrequireanothermedically-relatedjustificationforittobereimbursed.Duringthegatheringofinformationrelatedtocase-by-caseauthorizations,itwasevidentthatinsomeinstances,municipaladministratorswereapprovingsedationinexceptionalcircumstances(removalofanimpactedtoothorwherethereareconcurrentmedicalproblemsmakingsedationcriticaltoprovidingtreatmentsafely).TheextenttowhichadultsreceivingOWareavoidingcarebecausetheycannotaccesssedationorarepayingforsedationservicesaspartofemergencydentalcareisunclear.Municipaladministratorsworkwithinspecificfinancialconstraintsandpolicyframeworksthatareapprovedlocally.TheplansreviewedforthisreportarguablyreflectarangeoflocalpolicyoutcomesthatbalancefinancialconstraintswiththelocalrealitiesofthecompositionofOWcaseloadsandthechallengesofgeography(ruralversusurbanforexample).Theapproachtoaddressingtheseconstraintsdiffers.PlansadministeredthroughPHUssuchasSimcoeandParrySoundhavecarecoveredannually($400/$425peryearandincludebothpre-treatmentandpost-treatmentadjudicationrequirements,suchassupplementalinformationandradiographswhenclaimingforthehigherfeeassociatedwiththeextractionofatoothorpreauthorizationforremovalofmorethanonewisdomtooth).Inthisapproach,andwhencomparedtothoseplansthatareadjudicatedbyotherthird-parties,therecanbeabroaderrangeofservicescoveredwithinasimilarfinanciallimitlikelybecauseofthehigherlevelofaccountabilityforexpenditures.Low-incomeadultsandadultsonsocialassistancehavehigherdentalneeds(poororalhealth)thanthegeneralpopulation.12Publicdentalplansforadultsonsocialassistancehavealsochangedlittleoverthelast30yearsintermsofthescopeofcoveredprocedures,andgenerallyonlyaddressanurgentdentalproblems.13MunicipaladministratorsthathaveplansthatareclosertotheODSPlevelofbenefithaveagreaterpotentialtoassistclientsmaintainorimprovetheiroralhealthwhileonassistancebecausetheplanincludesabroaderrangeofcoverageforroutinepreventivecare,restorative,endodonticcare,surgicalservicesandanesthesia.ProvidinganODSPlevelofbenefittoallOWadultclientswouldentailasignificantincreaseinexpendituresovercurrentlevelsinOntario.ItisalsoimportanttonotethatevenanODSPbenefitlevelwouldnotallowallOWadultclients’oralhealthtobemaintainedand/orrestored
11See:ChanpongB,HaasDA,LockerD.Needanddemandforsedationorgeneralanesthesiaindentistry:anationalsurveyoftheCanadianpopulation.Anesthesiaprogress.2005Mar;52(1):3-11;AdamsA,YarascavitchC,QuiñonezC.UseofandAccesstoDeepSedationandGeneralAnesthesiaforDentalPatients:ASurveyofOntarioDentists.JCanDentAssoc.2017;83(h4):1488-2159.12See:QuiñonezC,FigueiredoR.Sorrydoctor, Ican’taffordtherootcanal, Ihavea job:Canadiandentalcarepolicyandtheworkingpoor.CanadianJournalofPublicHealth.2010Nov1;101(6):481-5;HealthCanada.SummaryreportonthefindingsoftheoralhealthcomponentoftheCanadianHealthMeasuresSurvey,2007-2009.Ottawa:HealthCanada,2010;CanadianAcademyofHealthSciences.ImprovingaccesstooralhealthcareforvulnerablepeoplelivinginCanada.Ottawa:CanadianAcademyofHealthSciences,2014.13See:QuiñonezC,SherretL,GrootendorstP,ShimMS,AzarpazhoohA,LockerD.Anenvironmentalscanofprovincial/territorialdentalpublichealthprograms.OfficeoftheChiefDentalOfficer,HealthCanada;2007;ShawJ,FarmerJ.AnenvironmentalscanofpubliclyfinanceddentalcareinCanada:2015update.Toronto:FacultyofDentistry,UniversityofToronto,2016.
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tofullfunction.Manylow-incomepatientsgowithoutdentalcareforsignificantperiodsoftimeandneedmoreadvancedtreatment,14whichisoutsidethescopeoftheODSPormostpublicplansinCanada.Finally,clinicslikethoseinEasternOntario,Kingston,NorthBay,andOttawaoftenhelpclosesomeofthegapinaccesstocareandservicesbyofferingcarethatresemblesthecarereceivedthroughHSOorODSPforadefinedperiod.ThistypeofextendedaccessisnotavailableineverycommunityinOntario,ornotpromotedopenlyduetothecommunity’slimitedcapacity.ThisreflectsthediversityanddisparityofapproachesofaccesstocareacrossOntario.3.7 MCCSSFeeComparisonAspresentedintheprevioussection,mostOWadultdentalbenefitplansfollowtheMCCSSscheduleofbenefits(levelofreimbursement).Thisreviewfoundthat:
• 17ofthe26plansreimbursethesamefeesforthesamecodesasfoundastheMCCSSschedule• SevenplanshavepaymentschedulesthatexceededtheMCCSSschedule,and• ThecurrentversionoftheplanfortheCityofTorontoprovidedbyGreat-WestLifeshowfees
thatarebelowthoseoftheMCCSSschedulewhilethoseintheRegionofPeelschedulewereverymarginallylower.
AppendixB–ComparisonofSelectFeeCodescontainsasummaryofthedifferentialinfeesforsevencommonlyusedcodesinemergencytreatment:
1. 01204,specificexamination2. 01205,emergencyexamination3. 02112,twoPAradiographs4. 20111,caries,painandtraumacontrol5. 21243,largesilveramalgamfillinginbacktooth6. 23323,largecompositeresinfillinginbacktooth7. 71201,complicatedextraction(removal)ofatooth
ForthesevenplansthatexceededtheMCCSSschedule,thedifferenceinfeesforthevariouscodesassessedwerebetween23.2and244%greater.Withinthesevenplans,therewerenotwofeestructuresthatmatched.Code20111showedthegreatestrangecomparedtotheMCCSSschedule,114.6to244%greater.Whereas01205variedfrom23.2to100%greater(doublethefeeintheMCCSSschedule).TheMCCSSscheduleofbenefitshasremainedlargelyunchangedformanyyears.Thesevenof26publiclyavailableplansthatarepayinginexcessoftheapprovedschedulesareoutsideofthemajorurbanareasoftheprovinceandareadministeredbyAccerta.Anassessmentoftherationalandvariationoflocalplansisbeyondthescopeofthisproject,butmaywarrantfurtherdiscussionswiththe
14See:LockerD,MaggiriasJ,QuiñonezC.Income,dentalinsurancecoverage,andfinancialbarrierstodentalcareamongCanadianadults.Journalofpublichealthdentistry.2011Sep;71(4):327-34;ThompsonB,CooneyP,LawrenceH,RavaghiV,QuiñonezC.Thepotentialoralhealthimpactofcostbarrierstodentalcare:findingsfromaCanadianpopulation-basedstudy.BMCOralHealth.2014Dec;14(1):78;ThompsonB,CooneyP,LawrenceH,RavaghiV,QuiñonezC.Costasabarriertoaccessingdentalcare:findingsfromaCanadianpopulation-basedstudy.Journalofpublichealthdentistry.2014Aug;74(3):210-8;RamrajC,AzarpazhoohA,DempsterL,RavaghiV,QuiñonezC.DentaltreatmentneedsintheCanadianpopulation:analysisofanationwidecross-sectionalsurvey.BMCoralhealth.2012Dec;12(1):46.
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specificadministratorstoverifythemethodologyusedtodeterminereimbursementlevelsforspecificfeesandthebasisofthedecisiontodeviatefromtheMCCSSschedule.Ultimately,itisagoodworkingassumptionthattheclosergovernmentplansresembleemployer-sponsoredplans,themorelikelytheseplansaretobeacceptedbydentists.15Also,thereiscurrentlynoclearlydefinedsocialcontractwiththedentistsinOntario.Dentistsareundernoobligationtoacceptgovernmentplansandcanlimithowmanyclientstheywillacceptintheirpractice.ThecurrentdiscourseamongdentistsisthatthecurrentMCCSSschedulerepresentsonly“30centsonthedollar”foradentalpracticeandthereforedentistsarepersonallysubsidizingthegovernmentplans.16Indeed,beforethemostrecentelection,theOntarioDentalAssociation(ODA)hadapubliccampaignarguingforincreasestotheprovincialgovernment’sinvestmentinexistingpublicdentalplans.4.0 ConclusionsThisreportprovidedadescriptiveanalysisofthecurrentstateofdentalprogramsand/orbenefitsforadultsreceivingOWacrosstheprovince.Itdemonstratedsubstantialvariationacrossallparameterscompared,includinghowbenefitsareaccessed,howtheyareadministered,whateligibleservicesareincludedorexcluded,whatmaximumannuallimitsapplyandthelevelsofreimbursementincluded.Thesefindingssuggestseveralpolicyoptions.Thewidevariationpresentamongmunicipalitiesislikelyrelatedtothediscretionarynatureoforalhealthcaredeliveryforadultsreceivingsocialassistance.Thisvariationcouldbeaddressedbyguidancefromtheprovinceregardinghowtheseservicesaretobeorganized(managed),financed,anddelivered.Alternatively,governmentscouldsetorganizational,financing,anddeliverystandardsforthedeliveryoforalhealthcaretosocialassistancepopulationsbymakingclearwhatservicesaremandatorytodeliver.TheobjectivesofprovidingoralhealthcaretoadultsreceivingOWinOntariohavenotbeenclearlyarticulated.Identifyingspecificgoalscanindicatepolicyoptions.Forexample,ifthegoalistoincentivizeandincreasethechancesofemploymentamongadultsreceivingOW,approachestocarecouldincludecoordinationbetweencaseworkersandothersocialservicesorPHUstaffthatisfocusedonemploymentoutcomes.Alternatively,ifthegoalistoachieveimprovedhealth,approachescouldincludecoordinationbetweencaseworkersandothersocialservicesorPHUstaffthatisfocusedonhealthoutcomes.Importantly,thesearenotmutuallyexclusivestrategies.Notably,theevidenceofanassociationbetweenreceivingdentalservicesandleavingsocialassistanceforemploymentisweak,17yetindividualsdoreportimprovementstoemployment-relatedfactorswhensurveyedpreandpostdentaltreatment,includingimprovementstosubjectivemeasuresoforalhealth.18
15See:QuiñonezCR,FigueiredoR,LockerD.Canadiandentists'opinionsonpubliclyfinanceddentalcare.Journalofpublichealthdentistry.2009Mar;69(2):64-73; Quiñonez C, Figueiredo R, Azarpazhooh A, Locker D. Public preferences for seeking publicly financed dental care andprofessionalpreferencesforstructuringit.Communitydentistryandoralepidemiology.2010Apr;38(2):152-8.16 See:CBCNews. 'Ugly,awful secret:'Ontariodentistsareduckingsomepatients—and theysay theyhavenochoice.Deburary08,2018.Availableat:https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/healthy-smile-cost-money-1.4525204;TheAgendawithStevePaikin.Ontario’sDentalCare:BitingOffMyths.May14,2018.Availableat:https://www.tvo.org/video/ontarios-dental-care-biting-off-myths.17SeeSinghalS,CorreaR,QuinonezC.Theimpactofdentaltreatmentonemploymentoutcomes:asystematicreview.Healthpolicy.2013Jan1;109(1):88-96andSinghalS,MamdaniM,MitchellA,TenenbaumH,LebovicG,QuiñonezC.DentaltreatmentandemploymentoutcomesamongsocialassistancerecipientsinOntario,Canada.HealthPolicy.2016Oct1;120(10):1202-8.18SeeSinghalS,MamdaniM,MitchellA,TenenbaumH,QuiñonezC.Anexploratorypilotstudytoassessself-perceivedchangesamongsocialassistancerecipientsregardingemploymentprospectsafterreceivingdentaltreatment.BMCoralhealth.2015Dec;15(1):138.
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Animportantpolicyquestionistheappropriatemixofpublicdeliveryofservices,privatedelivery,orboth(mixeddelivery).Almostalldevelopednationsworkonamixeddeliverymodel,19giventhatnotallservicedeliverycontextsareappropriateforallpopulations.20Economicevaluationsmayhelptodeterminetheefficiencyofblockfundingtheorganization,management,anddeliveryofpublicservices(PHUclinics,communityhealthsectorclinics),whileorganizing,financing,anddeliveringprivateservicesthroughtheuseofacentralizedclaimsprocessor,ascurrentlydonewiththeHSOprogram.Inonesense,theabovedecisionsarestructuralinnature.Theyinvolvequestionsastowhichlevelofgovernmentwillassumethefundingofsuchcare,whetheralocalsafetynetapproachwillbeprioritizedorsimplythepaymentofservices,whetherthegoalistocreatestrongpublicandprivatesystemsaroundtheoralhealthcaredeliveredtosocialassistancepopulations,andwhetherthefocuswillbearoundthosewithteethorthosewithout.Theseareobviouslyfalsedichotomies,buttheydopaintapictureofthetypesofdecisionsthatarerequired.AnotherimportantquestionforOntarioisthelevelofflexibilitythatisoptimalatthelocallevel.Forexample,localadministratorsareoftenfacedwiththechallengeofwhattodoforapersonwho,fromexperience,willlikelyonlybeonOWforaveryshorttime,versusapersonwho,againfromexperience,maybeheadedtowardsODSP.Flexibilityisparticularlyimportantintheformercase,assomeonemaynotneedtobeonOW,butsimplyneedssupportforatoothextractionorsomeotherbasicdentalcare.Blockfundingoftheseservicesprovidesforthistypeofflexibility,especiallyinlocationswherepublicclinicsareavailable,orwhereprivateclinicsaretheonlyoption.Fromanequityperspective,thewidevariationinwhatisavailabletowhomandthroughwhatprocessesmaybeparticularlyconcerning.Thisreporthashighlightedsuchvariation,whichhasimplicationsforfairaccesstoservicesandoutcomesacrosstheprovince,forachievingpositiveoutcomesinthesepopulationsingeneral,andforappropriateandeffectiveuseofscarceresources.Fromaneconomicperspective,rationalizingoralhealthcarecanhelpindecidingwhatservicesshouldbecoveredandatwhatcost.Dentistry,forgoodorbad,isarguablyuniqueinthatdifferenttreatmentregimens—oftenwithlargelyvaryingprices—canachieverelativelysimilaroutcomes(e.g.implantsvs.denturesinthetreatmentofmissingteeth,rootcanalsandfillingstodealwithaspecificlevelofdiseasevs.combiningextractionswithdenturestodealwiththesamelevelofdisease).Clinicalandvaluejudgmentsareimportantfordetermininghowservicesfundedbypublicprogramsarebestused(e.g.payingforarootcanalandcrownorpayingforextractionforapatientwithgivenprognosticfactors).Finally,formalizingdentalpublichealthexpertiseandleadershipcentrallymayimprovedecisionmakingprocesses(currently,thereisnoprovincialchiefdentalpublichealthofficer),andattheregional/locallevel(manymunicipalitieshavenosuchexpertiseavailable).Thiscanhelptoaddressconcernsaboutinequityinoralhealthservicesandmaximizethepotentialforefficientuseofresourcesinpublicdentalcareprogramming.
19SeeVujicicM,BernabéE,GarbinNeumannD,QuiñonezC,MertzE.(2016)DentalCare.WorldScientificHandbookofGlobalHealthEconomicsand Public Policy, Volume 2 – Health Determinants and Outcomes, Edited by Richard M. Scheffler. Singapore: World Scientific PublishingCompany,pp.83-121.20 See Quiñonez C, Figueiredo R, Azarpazhooh A, Locker D. Public preferences for seeking publicly financed dental care and professionalpreferencesforstructuringit.Communitydentistryandoralepidemiology.2010Apr;38(2):152-8.
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AppendixA–ComparisonofDentalCoverageAbbreviation DescriptionGWL Great-WestLifeAssuranceCompanyAccerta AccertaClaimServicorpInc.NC NotcoveredX IncludedintheplanPD Pre-determinationR 3periapicalradiographs(PA)or1panoramicradiographper12months- Noplan
Toronto Durham ThunderBay
S.StMarie
Wellington GreyCounty Peterborough Windsori Stratford Waterlooii Haltoniii
Admin GWL PHU Accerta Accerta Accerta Accerta Accerta&OWadminiv
Accerta&OWadminv
Accerta PHUvi PHU
$limit none none none none $1000 $1000 $600 $300 none PD4teeth/yearvii
none
PD NO YESviii NO NO NO NO NO YES(Dentures) NO DenturesandRCT
Screeningfornonemergix
MCCSSFees
NO YES YES NO NO YES YES YES YES YES YES
Amalgam&composite
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NOx NO NO
Complete NC NC NC 1/36 NC NC Xxi NC NC NC PD1per60mo
Emergency Xxii 3/12 3/6 3/12 3/6 3/6 X 2exams/year 3/12mocombined
X Unlimited
Specific X X X NI X X X 2exams/yr 3/12mocombinedxiii
X 1/12mo
Recall NC NC NC NC NC NC X NC NC NC NC
Film 6/12 3/12 3/12 5/12 3/12 3/12 8/12+2BW/9 3PA/3yrs 3PA/12mocombinedxiv
X 5/12mo
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Toronto Durham ThunderBay
S.StMarie
Wellington GreyCounty Peterborough Windsori Stratford Waterlooii Haltoniii
Panoramic NC X Rxv 1/36 R R 1/24 1/3yrsxvi R X 1/24mo
Biopsy X X X X X X X X X X X
Prevention NC NC NC NC NC NC YESxvii NC NC NC PDupto4unitsscalingxviii
CTPC NCxix X X X X X X X X X X
Amalgam X X X X X X X X X X X
Comp(A) X X X X X X X X X X X
Comp(P) NC X X X X X X X X X X
Pulpotomy NC NC NC 13to43 NC NC YES X - SeeRCT SeeRCT
Pulpectomy X PD X 13to43 X X YES X X SeeRCT SeeRCT
RCT NC PDxx NC 13to43 NC NC YES NC NC PDxxi PD3per5years
Perio42831
NC X X X X X X NC X X 4unitsincludingscaling
Basicremovals
X X/PD8’s X X X X X X X X X
Replant X X X X X X X X X X X
GA NC NC NC Xxxii NC NC 8units/appt NC X NC NC
Sedation NC NC NC X NC NC 8units/visit NC X NC NC
NO X NC NC X NC NC 8units/visit NC NC NC NC
Denturesxxiii 1/5yrs PDxxiv - ONCE - - YES 1/10yrs - 1/5yrsxxv 1/5yrs
CastRDP NC NC - ONCE - - YES 1/10yrs - 1/5yrs 1/5yrs
Repairs $88/12mo
PD - 1/2yrs - - yes 1perappliance/year
- 1/3years 4/year
Reline 1/36xxvi PD - ½yrs - - yes 1perappliance/year
- 1/3yrsxxvii 1/3yrsxxviii
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AppendixB–ComparisonofSelectFeeCodesFeecode 01204 01205 02112 20111 21243 23323 71201
MCCSSGP $19.00 $19.00 $16.33 $31.68 $79.32 $102.88 $88.69
Toronto$13.29(-30.1%)
$13.29(-30.1%)
$11.88(-27.3%)
N/A$55.40(-30.2%)
N/A$62.04(-30.0%)
Algoma$28.08(+51.6%)
$28.08(+51.6%)
$24.00(+47.0%)
$68.00(+114.6%)
$128.80(+62.4%)
$171.20(+66.4%)
$161.60(+82.2%)
KawarthaLakes$38.00
(+100.0%)$38.00
(+100.0%)$34.00
(+108.2%)$109.00(+244.1%)
$128.80(+62.4%)
$171.20(+66.4%)
$217.00(+144.7%)
Northumberland$29.60(+55.8%)
$29.60(+55.8%)
$26.40(+61.7%)
$83.20(+162.6%)
$152.80(+92.6%)
$152.80(+48.5%)
$167.20(+88.5%)
Peel$18.93(-0.4%)
$18.93(-0.4%)
$16.27(-0.4%)
$31.56(-0.4%)
$79.02(-0.4%)
$102.50(-0.4%)
$88.36(-0.4%)
SaultStMarie N/A$23.40(+23.2%)
$19.50(+19.4%)
$55.25(+74.4%)
$125.45(+58.2%)
$128.70(+25.1%)
$131.30(+48.0%)
ManitoulinSudbury
$38.00(+100.0%)
$38.00(+100.00)
$33.00(+100.00)
$108.00(+240.9%)
$208.00(+162.2%)
$239.00(+132.3%)
$210.00(+136.8%)
Huron$33.30(+75.3%)
$33.30(+75.3%)
$29.70(+81.9%)
$93.60(+195.5%)
$171.90(+116.7%)
$202.50(+96.8%)
$188.10(+112.1%)
Wellington$32.40(+70.5%)
$32.40(+70.5%)
$27.00(+65.3%)
$76.50(+141.5%)
$144.90(+82.7%)
$192,60(+87.2%)
$181.80(+105.0%)
iPlaninthepreambleindicatesreliefofpainonlyforthedentalplanandspecificallyindicatedthatnoextrabillingispermitted.
iiTheWaterlooplancoversupto4extractionsor3fillingspertheschedule.Treatmentbeyondthatlevelhastobepreauthorized.
iii“HaltonRegiondoesnotintendtoprovideon-goingregulardentalcaretoadultsintheOWprogram.TheOWAdultsdentalprogramisnotaninsuranceplan.Thisprogramprovidesthreetypesofcare:Emergencycareforconditionsinvolvingpain,infection,ortrauma.Denturecaretorestorechewingabilityand/orspeech.Non-emergencydentalserviceswillonlybecoveredunderspecialcircumstances.”ivDenturesare$750forupper/$750foralowerper5years;caseworkerdetermined.
vThemunicipaladministratorprocessesclaimsfordenturesinternallybuttheDiscretionaryDentalBenefitsProgramclaimsprocessingisdonebyAccerta.
viAdultsandtheirdependentchildren,18yearsandolder,canreceiveemergencycare.AsanOntarioWorksclient,youwillreceiveadentalcardwithyourstatementeachmonth.Ifyouhaveaspecificdentalproblemyoucangotoadentalcareproviderandhaveitchecked.Youcanhaveanexam,limitednumberofx-raysanduptothreeteethfilledoruptofourteethremoved.
viiPreamblefortheplanindicateswheredentistcansendtheirauthorizationsforcareandprovidesanumberfordentalofficestocall.
viii“PredeterminationofBenefitsifrequiredforanytreatmentotherthanthatprovidedatthetimeoftheinitialappointmenttorelievepainorbeyondthetwoteethtreatable[…].”
ixNon-emergencies;adultswithnon-emergencydentalconditionsmustfirstbescreenedbyHaltonRegionOralHealthstaff.� xThepreambleindicatesthatifatoothisrestoredwithmorethanonematerialthantheamalgamrateapplies.
xiIncludesany2examinationsper12monthsforemergency.Acompleteexamevery60monthsandarecallexaminationevery9monthsor9monthsafteracompleteexam.
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xiiForeitheremergencyorspecificexamcoversonly1unitoftime(feeadjustedaccordingly).
xiiiPlanallowsforanycombinationof3exams(specificoremergencyper12-monthperiod).
xivTheplanallowsforeither3PA’sor1panorexper12months.
xvThebenefitiseither3filmsper12monthsor1panorex(BW’sexcluded).
xviPlanlimitseither3PA’sor1panorexper3years.
xviiIncludespolishing1per9months,scaling4unitsper12months,fluoridetreatment.
xviiiPlanalsohas1unitofsmokingcounselingasacoveredbenefit.
xixTheplanlists20131/9,whicharefortraumacontrol.
xxSetmaximumfeeof$253.39anteriorteethonly.
xxiWaterlooplan:1timepertooth:3teethperpatientsper60monthsexcludingtheanteriorteeth1-2to2-3.
xxii6unitsperdentistperyearforallthreecombinedGA,SedationorNO.
xxiiiInformationforthosemunicipaladministratorswithpublicplans.Thosenotindicatingaplandoesnotmeantthatitmaynotbeavailableandtypicallyclientshavetorequestassistance.
xxivAlldentureservicesarePD.Theplanreimbursesfeethatincludesprofessionalandlabcomponents.
xxvPlanalsocoversimmediatedentures.
xxviRelinesarelimitedtoonceevery36months,arenotcovereduntilafter3monthsifanewdenturehasbeenpaidforanddentureswillnotbereplacedifarelinefeehasbeenpainwithin6months.Repairsarelimitedto$88perdentureper12consecutivemonths
xxviiAlsocoversasoftrelineonceperdenture.
xxviiiPlanalsocoversupto4timesperyeartissueconditioning.
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Integrating health, economic and equity evidence to inform policy
Institute of Health Policy, Management and EvaluationDalla Lana School of Public HealthUniversity of Toronto155 College Street – 4th FloorToronto, Ontario M5T 3M6 Canada
https://converge3.ca
@converge3_ca