AzDA 2016 Legislative Accomplishments

ALTCS Dental coverage is in the State budget
Measure provides $1,000 annually to disabled citizens

The Arizona State Legislature moved forward to adopt a state budget in the last week of the session, allocating $2.6 million to support restoration of dental care for patients under the Arizona Long Term Care System (aka "ALTCS"). The funds will be matched by federal dollars on a 3:1 basis, ultimately providing $10.4 million to cover approximately 25,000 Arizona citizens who are classified as developmentally disabled, elderly disabled, or physically disabled.

This disabled population last had dental coverage in 2006, but had the ability to obtain limited services under the AHCCCS Adult Emergency Benefit until 2009. Elimination of that program in 2009 has led to devastating consequences for this population, including serious health problems and associated pain and infection.

AHCCCS will be responsible to implement the program and AzDA will be looking to provide technical assistance to the agency as they move forward. Likely start date for the program will be October 2016.