Robust Exchange Options........for Dental??

Yagents

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My bet is there will be more dental carrier options available on the exchanges, than there will be health insurance options. See what happens when you don't have mandates, and let the free market prevail. I hate selling dental, always been a waste of time, and not enough pay for the imminent client disappointment.

http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/files/voluntary-dental-reporting-list-1-28-13.pdf

Consumers who use either the individual or the group exchange system in Florida, Georgia or Virginia could get to pick from a menu of nine carriers.

Federal exchanges attracting 3 to 9 dental carriers each | LifeHealthPro
 
From the wording of the LifeHealthPro article, it seems like dental and health would be separate...two carriers and 2 monthly bills.

Did the ACA/HHS define any Essential Health Benefits, or Minimum Essential Coverage for dental plans? If they too must mimic the Blue Cross Group dental (in Illinois), the dental coverage will be acceptable..though expensive. I suppose you don't get a larger subsidy if you choose to add Dental to your Bronze plan?
 
This explains the problem pretty well...

Gaps in health law dental coverage - Paige Winfield Cunningham - POLITICO.com

Here's how the problem unfolds inside the new health insurance exchanges. Plans have to be certified to sell in the exchanges, and they have to cover the essential benefits. But the administration has said they can be certified without the pediatric dental coverage — as long as there's a stand-alone pediatric dental plan that people can purchase in the exchange as an add-on.

So a family could buy an approved health plan — without tacking on the pediatric dental coverage — and not face any kind of penalty or fine. At least that's how the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight laid out the policy to dental insurers in a Dec. 5 call, according to two participants.

"It caused a collective gasp," said Chad Olson, a lobbyist for the Delta Dental Plans Association. With the penalty removed, the low-income Americans who shop on the exchanges will be more likely to forgo the pediatric dental coverage, even though many will be subsidized for their health and kids' dental insurance.
 
Yes, the new QEHB benefit plans must include pediatric dental coverage, and yes the subsidies apply to that benefit too.
 
Yes, the new QEHB benefit plans must include pediatric dental coverage, and yes the subsidies apply to that benefit too.

Ann, in your 9:37pm post you said that Dental is optional, but at 9:49pm you're saying that all plans must have Dental included. I'm confused like "HealthGuy" now.

If anything should be optional, it should be maternity. That will be the second most expensive component of the huge price increases on their way. (Guaranteed Issue is #1 driver.) Would lower the subsidy and save the Treasury some money. Hello!...Are you listening Ms. Sebelius?

-Allen
 
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