The American Dental Association has updated its website to include a new toolkit of resources surrounding Medicare and medically necessary services. This release of educational materials follows new Medicare regulations that institute payment for limited dental services deemed medically-necessary prior to medical procedures, which took effect Jan. 1, 2023. No new dental benefit has been established with this change. 

The toolkit includes an overview of what Medicare covers, how it is organized and information providers should know. Medicare does not cover most routine dental services, but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently began reimbursing for dental services that are linked to the clinical success of a medically-necessary procedure. 

CMS notified the Association that dentists who treat patients under the limited medically necessary payment rules should choose one of the enrollment options to remain in compliance with CMS regulations.