Our Family to Family Health Information Center put together this alert on some of the changes in dental coverage because of the recent cuts to Medicaid by the Illinois General Assembly. We are now working with other health care advocates to provide you with useful information to navigate the cuts to health care. We hope to have a prescription alert available within the next few days.Last week I talked to with the leadership at Aetna to determine how the cuts to health care are going to impact the managed care pilot. Like us, they have a lot of homework to do over the cuts but believe some of the cuts are very short sighted, more to come…Tony

Attention Medicaid enrollees age 21 and older: due to a new law in Illinois,
theSave Medicaid Access and Resources Together Act (SMART Act)
Starting on July 1,2012, your dental benefits will be reduced.
 
Only emergency dental services for adults will be covered.
 
You will be able to see a dentist in the HFS Dental Program for emergencies only.
You can call DentaQuest 24 hours a day, 7 days a week a 1-888-286-2447 or TTY 1-800-466-7566 to find a dentist.
 
Here is link to information from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services about the SMART Act and reductions in your benefits: http://www2.illinois.gov/hfs/SiteCollectionDocuments/Client%20Notice%20SB%202840.pdf
 
You may want to make an appointment with your dentist during June 2012, before this new law goes into effect.
 
If you need help finding a dentist who accepts Medicaid insurance, here are some helpful numbers to call:
 
1.All Medicaid enrollees:
To find a dentist visit the DentaQuest Web site,
https://govservices.dentaquest.com/Router.jsp?component=Main&source=Logon&action=ProviderDirectory2or you may call 
  1-888-286-2447       or TTY            1-800-466-7566   
Here is a link to the DentaQuest page on the HFS website. This page describes services available to adults until June 30, 2012 only. (Services for children will remain unchanged at this time):http://www2.illinois.gov/hfs/MedicalPrograms/Brochures/Pages/Dentaquest.aspx
 
2. Medicaid enrollees in managed care plans (Integrated Care Program)
 
1.    Aetna Better HealthDental services are provided by DentaQuest’s providers. Please call Member Services at   1-866-212-2851   for more information. Find a dentist.   .
2.    IlliniCare:callMember Services
            (866) 329-4701    TDD/TTY (866) 811-2452
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Central Time)
 
For more information about finding a dentist, you may wish to contact:
 
1.     IFLOSS Coalition: http://ifloss.org/  or lisa@ifloss.org
 
2833 South Grand Avenue East Springfield, IL 62703
Phone             (217) 321-2616       • Fax (217) 535-3104
 
 
2.     Illinois State Dental Society • P.O. Box 376 • Springfield, IL 62705   (217) 525-1406   http://www.isds.org/publicInfo/specialNeeds/index.asp
  
 
3.     Dental Lifeline Network Program:
http://www.nfdh.org/donated-dental-services-dds/state-dds-programs/illinois
The Dental Lifeline Network Program serves disabled and aged people who cannot afford needed dental treatment and have no other way of getting help. Qualified applicants must be permanently disabled, chronically ill, or elderly. Each person’s condition must be severe enough to prohibit or significantly limit gainful employment. In addition, they can neither afford dental care nor receive it through other programs. They must need extensive treatment, not just a cleaning and check-up.
To apply for services from the program, please complete an application.
For more information on the Dental Lifeline Network Program, please contact:
Helen Peters
Donated Dental Services
PO Box 211 
Northbrook, IL 60065 
            800/893-1685      
 
4. Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Dental Policy Review Committee:http://www2.illinois.gov/hfs/publicinvolvement/boardsandcommisions/pages/dental.aspx
 
Schedule of upcoming meetings and list of members can be found on this webpage.
Next meeting is scheduled for July 17, 2012 in Chicago/Springfield:
2012 Meeting Dates (Subject to Change)

  • July 18, 2012
  • October 3, 2012

Time
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 
Location
Each meeting will be videoconference between Springfield and Chicago. 
Springfield – 607 East Adams, 7th Floor 
Chicago – 401 South Clinton, 5th Floor, OIG Videoconference Room 
 
5. Federally Qualified Health Centers(FQHCs) provide medical and dental care to uninsured persons on a sliding fee scale.
 
Visit the Find a Health Center site to locate one near you: http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx 


Tony Paulauski
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@www.thearcofil.org