BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair 2015 - 2016 Regular Session AB 648 (Low) - Community-based services: Virtual Dental Home program ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Version: June 29, 2015 |Policy Vote: HEALTH 8 - 0 | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Urgency: No |Mandate: No | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Hearing Date: August 27, 2015 |Consultant: Brendan McCarthy | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- *********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM - SUSPENSE FILE *********** The following information is revised to reflect amendments adopted by the committee on August 27, 2015 Bill Summary: AB 648 would establish a grant program to provide funding to support virtual dental homes. The bill would authorize $3 million from a specified special fund to be used for the program. Fiscal Impact: One-time authorization of $3 million (California Health Facilities Financing Authority Fund). (Because the Fund is continuously appropriated in law, the spending authorization in this bill appropriates $3 million for the purposes of the bill.) Unknown increase in Medi-Cal spending for dental procedures (General Fund and federal funds). The Medi-Cal program AB 648 (Low) Page 1 of ? provides dental coverage for children and limited coverage for adults. According to a report by the State Auditor, utilization of dental services by Medi-Cal beneficiaries is low compared to other states. In part, this is due to limited availability of dental providers willing to see new patients at the rates paid by the Medi-Cal program. The virtual dental home model has the potential to increase access, by bringing care to individuals who are not otherwise being served. To the extent this happens, it could increase Medi-Cal expenditures for dental service. On the other hand, early interventions through a virtual dental home model may reduce future costs by catching problems early. The extent to which the savings from early interventions will offset the costs of overall increases in utilization is unknown. Committee Amendments: Shift the source of funding for the program from the General Fund to an existing special fund, reduce the amount authorized to $3 million, and require the program to be implemented by the California Health Facilities Financing Authority. -- END --