Texas is currently facing a critical shortage of healthcare workers, particularly in the dental field, which is deepening issues with access to care across the state. A Newsweek article, “How Texas Could Solve Its Health Care Worker Crisis,” highlighted these ongoing challenges, referencing a report from Becker’s Dental Review that shows Texas has the lowest number of dental hygienists in the country. This shortage is worsening the strain on Texas’ already stretched healthcare system, especially in rural and underserved areas.
In response to these issues, Texas House Bill 1803, introduced by Representative Sam Harless from District 126, proposes the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. This compact would allow dentists to practice across state lines, potentially attracting more providers to Texas and easing some of the pressures on the state’s healthcare system.
While this proposal could help alleviate some of the challenges, it does not address a critical issue faced by Medicaid practices: the slow and inefficient credentialing process. The Texas Dental Medicaid Reform (TDMR) has consistently reported on delays in credentialing dentists through the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) and Dental Medicaid Organizations (DMOs). Even in the simplest scenarios, such as when a dentist approved for one location needs to be credentialed for another, it can take months for the process to be completed, delaying care for Medicaid patients who need immediate attention.
Under the DMO contract governing Medicaid dental services, Section 2.3.12 sets out clear timelines for credentialing. DMOs are required to complete the process within 90 calendar days of receiving a complete application. However, if an application is incomplete, DMOs must notify the provider within five business days and give them 10 calendar days to provide missing information. Despite these provisions, the credentialing delays persist, causing frustration and preventing timely access to care for those who need it most.
The ongoing issues with credentialing have raised concerns, with stakeholders calling for reform and more efficient processes to ensure that Medicaid recipients can receive dental care without unnecessary delays. As Texas continues to grapple with a shortage of dental professionals, the state will need to address these systemic barriers to make progress in solving its healthcare worker crisis.
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