CMS Approves CalAIM Dental Initiatives

On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved State Plan Amendment 21-0019 for dental components as part of the sweeping California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative. The amendment, effective January 1, 2022, authorizes supplemental payments for select preventive dental services and dental examination services for continuity of care.

The amendment additionally authorizes two new statewide benefits, also effective on January 1. Caries risk assessment and silver diamine fluoride services will be added to the dental fee schedule.

DHCS awaits full approval of the State Plan Amendment for the broader CalAIM initiative which is set to begin on January 1, 2022.

The CMS approval letter for the CalAIM dental components is available here.