About the Medicaid dental claims data

Medicaid dental claims are submitted to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) by providers licensed with DHS to deliver dental services to individuals enrolled in a Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP).

 

MHCP enrollees represent low-income populations, including individuals with disabilities, older adults (65+ years), pregnant women, and children who may experience higher and more severe dental disease and oral conditions.

  • Dental service use among Medicare (65+ years) patients (i.e., those not dual eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (i.e. Medical Assistance)).
  • Dental service use among low-income individuals selecting not to enroll or not eligible to participate in a MHCP.
  • Dental services provided to MHCP enrollees that were not submitted as a dental claim to the Department of Human Services for reimbursement.
  • Specific types of dental or oral health service use (e.g., dental cleaning, root canal, etc.).

Dental service use: The number and percentage of all Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) enrollees ages up to 100 years with at least one dental claim submitted during the calendar year (January 1 through December 31).

Use caution when attempting to compare dental service use over time. Claim years 2012 through 2013 include paid dental claims only. Data collected since 2014 include paid, unpaid, and denied claims. Only years 2014 and onward can be compared.

Minnesota Department of Human Services.  Minnesota Health Care Programs Dental Services Recipients by County of Residence, Program Category and Age. Collected by the Minnesota Oral Health Program. St. Paul, Minnesota: Accessed from MN Public Health Data Access Portal. [Add URL] Retrieved month, year.