Governor signs Medicaid denture bill; law will become effective July 1

Gov. Jim Justice has approved a bill that aims to make dentures more accessible to Medicaid recipients. 

With Justice’s signature Tuesday, House Bill 4933 will become effective July 1. 

Medicaid currently covers diagnostic, preventative and restorative dental services, with the exclusion of cosmetic services. The bill changes the state’s cap on Medicaid dental coverage cap from $1,000 per year to $2,000 over two years. It’s meant to allow Medicaid recipients to get both sets of dentures at the same time at a cost of about $600 each. 

Dental care professionals say because of the current cap, Medicaid recipients were not able to get both sets at the same time, which goes against the standard of care for dentistry. 

The Senate and the House of Delegates had both passed versions of the legislation unanimously. 

Hallie Mason, executive director of the West Virginia Dental Association, said Tuesday the organization applauds the governor and Legislature for recognizing a bureaucratic obstacle to oral health care and fixing it.

“The new law enables dentists to provide more care to Medicaid patients in fewer office visits,” she said. “It will not increase the cost of the care, so it is a win for Medicaid patients and taxpayers.”