biostudies-literatureKranz AMNIDCR NIH HHSe2024066638https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11524042biostudies-literatureUnknown154(5)<h4>Background and objectives</h4>The Affordable Care Act required private insurers to cover a set of recommended preventive services without cost-sharing. This included coverage of fluoride varnish (FV) applications without cost-sharing for children aged 1 through 5 during medical visits, an evidence-based treatment that prevents tooth decay. We examined if this coverage mandate was associated with more young children receiving FV.<h4>Methods</h4>Using the Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Database (2014-2018), we examined the likelihood that a privately insured child received FV during a medical visit in a month. We used a difference-in-differences approach, comparing those included in the coverage mandate (aged 1-5) to those excluded from the mandate (aged 6-9), before and after the mandatPediatricsAffordable Care Act's Preventive Services Coverage Mandate and Receipt of Fluoride Varnish.PMC11524042R01 DE028530Dick AWMizushima YGeissler KHGracner TKranz AMfalseAffordable Care Act's Preventive Services Coverage Mandate and Receipt of Fluoride Varnish.<h4>Background and objectives</h4>The Affordable Care Act required private insurers to cover a set of recommended preventive services without cost-sharing. This included coverage of fluoride varnish (FV) applications without cost-sharing for children aged 1 through 5 during medical visits, an evidence-based treatment that prevents tooth decay. We examined if this coverage mandate was associated with more young children receiving FV.<h4>Methods</h4>Using the Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Database (2014-2018), we examined the likelihood that a privately insured child received FV during a medical visit in a month. We used a difference-in-differences approach, comparing those included in the coverage mandate (aged 1-5) to those excluded from the mandate (aged 6-9), before and after the mandat2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Nov2026-06-05T07:39:29.739Z2026-05-14T03:12:13.278ZS-EPMC115240423943470010.1542/peds.2024-066638