AAE Advocacy Action Center
FEDERAL ISSUES
The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2023 and the SMILED Act
Most adults covered by Medicaid rely on a patchwork of state-by-state policy for any dental coverage. At the Federal level, Representative Nanette Barragán (D-CA) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) have reintroduced The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2023 (H.R. 1342) (S. 570). This legislation would replace the existing state-by-state system with mandatory coverage, in addition to providing comprehensive dental benefits to Medicaid recipients.
Clarification on the No Surprises Act and what it means for Dentists
The No Surprises Act went into effect Jan. 1, 2022. The law gives consumers billing protections when getting emergency care, nonemergency care from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and air ambulance services from out-of-network providers. Since its inception, there have been questions about how the law impacts dentists.
H.R. 994: The Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2023
The AAE supports the passage of the Oral Health Literacy and Awareness Act of 2023 – a bipartisan measure which instructs the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to develop an oral health literacy strategy for underserved communities and aims to stop the rise of oral disease and related illnesses through a five-year oral health literacy campaign.
An Update on H.R. 1202, The Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act
The AAE supports the passage of the REDI Act – a measure meant to provide student loan relief. This proposal seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide interest-free deferment on student loans for borrowers in a medical or dental internship or residency program. The AAE is committed to working with stakeholders and members toward this critical reform. Additionally, the Association signed on to letters with other dental organizations.
AAE Advocacy News
AAE Visits the U.S. Capitol to Advocate for Patients
Members and staff of American Association of Endodontists (AAE) participated in the American Dental Association (ADA) and American Dental Student Association (ASDA) annual event known as ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Days on March 5 - 7 in Washington D.C.
An Update on Dental Loss Ratio
After a resounding victory in Massachusetts this past November election, the AAE will continue its support of Dental Loss Ratio (DLR) legislation at the state level. Several state dental societies have indicated that they will pursue new DLR policies during their 2023 state legislative sessions to ensure payers submit yearly reports on their spending and refund any excess dental premium dollars back to their customers. The AAE monitors these developments, and conversations with other dental stakeholders are ongoing.
AAE Endorses Medical Loss Rations for Dental Plans
The American Association of Endodontists has endorsed “Yes on Question 2 in Massachusetts,” a ballot initiative on the November 2022 ballot that seeks to reform dental insurance Medical Loss…
AAE Represents Endodontists at June Dental Quality Alliance Meeting
As a part of the AAE's ongoing advocacy efforts, Dr. Beth Ann Damas and Association staff joined the Dental Quality Alliance (DQA) for their biannual meeting on June 3, 2022. Developed by the ADA, the DQA works to advance performance measurement to improve oral health, patient care and safety through a consensus-building process.
AAE Provides Update How No Surprises Act May Affect Endodontists
The No Surprises Act (NSA) and subsequent regulations launched on January 1, 2022 have established federal protections that mitigate the financial burden on consumers when health plans deny care provided by providers that have not contracted (i.e., “non- participating”, “out of network”) to accept discounted payment rates from the health plan.
AAE Members and Stakeholders visit Capitol to Advocate for Dentistry
On March 20-21, 2022, AAE members and Association stakeholders participated in the American Dental Association’s (ADA) and the American Dental Student Association’s (ADSA) ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day in Washington D.C.
AAE's Online Newsletter: The AAE Advocate
This publication helps keep you up to date about the work the AAE is doing on your behalf to strengthen the specialty, help members stay informed about legislation, and other important developments.
Past Editions:
First Edition, Second Edition, Third Edition, Fourth Edition, Fifth Edition, Sixth Edition, Seventh Edition, Eighth Edition, Ninth Edition, Tenth Edition, Eleventh Edition, Twelfth Edition, Thirteenth Edition
Key Issues for AAE Advocacy
Reimbursement - Insurance and Coding
The AAE believes all patients deserve access to quality, affordable dental benefit coverage, and it is dedicated to working with policymakers, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders to increase access and improve the way dental care is financed and managed.
Excellence in Endodontics
To ensure that patients get the best possible care, the AAE promotes endodontic competency, and a single standard of practice implemented by practitioners. This includes ensuring that both new pre-doc graduates and experienced general dentists understand their own abilities and when to refer for the best interest of the patient.
Specialty Rights - Status and Scope
The AAE fights to support the value that the advanced education and experience of an endodontist brings to patient care. In that vein, the AAE fights to protect patients from providers that misrepresent themselves as specialists or lack the proper credentialing.
Corporate Dentistry
The AAE supports the ability of all endodontists – regardless of practice type – to practice competitively and for the best interest of patients.
Student Debt
The AAE recognizes the burden that student debt can play in the ability of new graduates to make practice decisions, including the ability to practice in underserved areas. It fights for responsible student loan reform and student debt relief.
Guardians of Public Oral Health
The AAE champions policies that promote good oral health, access to quality affordable care and works to enable endodontists to achieve the best patient outcomes. We support for the Responsible Additions and Increases to Sustain Employee (RAISE) Health Benefits Act of 2019. Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow consumers to set aside pretax dollars to pay for healthcare services like dental.
AAE Position Statements
The AAE offers a variety of clinical resources including publications, guidelines, position statements and treatment planning resources reflecting the latest research, techniques and technologies in endodontics. These tools and statements are valuable references to support the highest standards of patient care.
