Provision of Fluoride Varnish to Medicaid-Enrolled Children by Physicians: The Massachusetts Experience.
| Year: | 2011 | ||||||
| Type of Publication: | Article | ||||||
| Authors: |
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| Journal: | Health Serv Res | ||||||
| Month: | July | ||||||
| Abstract: | |||||||
Objectives. To evaluate the impact of a 2008 Medicaid policy in Massachusetts
(MA), regarding reimbursing physicians for providing fluoride varnish
(FV) to eligible children in medical settings. Data Source. Survey
of a sample of primary care physicians in MA. Study Design. Cross-sectional
survey of a sample of physicians who provide care to MassHealth (MA
Medicaid) enrolled-children. Dependent variables: history of completed
preventive dental skills training, and FV provision. Independent
variables: oral health knowledge, FV-attitudes, and physician and
practice characteristics. Principal Findings. Overall, 19 percent
of respondents had completed the training required to be eligible
to bill for FV provision. Only 5 percent of physicians were providing
FV. Most respondents (63 percent) were not familiar with the new
policy, and only 25 percent felt that FV should be provided during
well-child visits. Most physicians (60 percent) did not feel that
the reimbursement rate of U.S.$26/application was sufficient; 17
percent said that they would not provide FV, regardless of payment.
Most common barriers to FV provision were a lack of time and logistical
challenges. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that simply reimbursing
physicians for FV provision is insufficient to ensure provider participation.
Success of this policy will likely require addressing several barriers
identified. |
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