I. The department shall seek funding for a Medicaid children’s oral health initiative program as part of the department’s budget for the biennium ending June 30, 2013, and each biennium thereafter. The program shall provide reimbursement to primary care providers who deliver preventative oral health services, such as dental screenings and fluoride varnish treatments, to children between 0 and 3 years of age enrolled in the state Medicaid program. Primary care providers who choose to participate in the program shall complete training approved by the department and submit evidence of program completion to the department, which shall maintain a list of trained providers. Program implementation, including adoption of rules required by paragraph II, and submission of a Medicaid state plan amendment as required by paragraph III, shall be contingent upon sufficient funding.
II. The commissioner shall adopt rules under N.H. Rev. Stat. Chapter 541-A relative to administration of the children’s oral health initiative, including eligibility criteria, the type and frequency of services covered, reimbursement rates, and provider training requirements. The department also shall develop a list of approved training programs, which shall include, but may not be limited to, those offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center. Upon implementation of the program, the department shall provide, upon request, a list of dentists participating in the state Medicaid program to primary care providers in the oral health initiative. Participation in any school-based oral health program shall require explicit written consent of the child’s parent or legal guardian.
III. The department shall submit a Title XIX Medicaid state plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for the purpose of establishing the children’s oral health initiative.