The Impact of Medicaid Reform on Children's Dental Care Utilization in Connecticut, Maryland, and Texas.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To measure the impact of Medicaid reforms, in particular increases in Medicaid dental fees in Connecticut, Maryland, and Texas, on access to dental care among Medicaid-eligible children.

Data

2007 and 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health.

Study design

Difference-in-differences and triple differences models were used to measure the impact of reforms.

Principal findings

Relative to Medicaid-ineligible children and all children from a group of control states, preventive dental care utilization increased among Medicaid-eligible children in Connecticut and Texas. Unmet dental need declined among Medicaid-eligible children in Texas.

Conclusions

Increasing Medicaid dental fees closer to private insurance fee levels has a significant impact o

SUBMITTER: Nasseh K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4545356 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature