Special Studies of Dental Services

ARC has conducted a number of studies directly related to dental services. As  a result of these ARC has compiled a data base from the experience of health insurers and HMOs in providing dental benefits to employers in group insurance contracts. This data base has been used both to price private dental insurance plans (through GRTCA) and to advise the Administration and various states concerning the impact on the cost of proposals to cover dental services under national or state  health insurance plans. ARC has also analyzed the cost of dental services provided through state Medicaid programs, both on a fee for service and managed care basis, and proposals to add dental benefits to the Medicare program.  GRTCA has analyzed the cost to add limited dental benefits for Medicare recipients to Medicare "risk" contracts for several HMO clients.

• Estimate of national expenditures for dental services, and the proportions that would be covered under proposed national  health insurance programs, including those proposed by the Clinton Administration.
• Cost of including various levels of dental services in the "health alliance" plans to be offered under the  Clinton national health reform program, on a fee for service, PPO or HMO basis.
• Estimates for CMS of dental services purchased through private health insurance plans.
• Evaluated the capacity of HMOs bidding on Medicaid managed care programs to control the cost of dental care services.