CareSource Launches Dental Home Model for Providers and Members in Indiana

CareSource, a nationally recognized managed care entity, today announced the launch of Indiana’s first dental home program for Indiana Medicaid members and providers. The model will formally pair 175,000+ CareSource members with a dental provider, who is responsible for coordinating their dental care. This innovative model ensures a member's oral health care is managed in a comprehensive, accessible, culturally competent and family-centered way, by a trusted, licensed primary dental provider.

The dental home model will encourage and support positive and lasting relationships between dentists and patients through regular access to dental care for members and their families. Members of the Hoosier Healthwise and Healthy Indiana Plan programs will have the option to select any Indiana Medicaid-enrolled dental provider or have one chosen for them by CareSource based on claims history, family history and/or geographic location.

“It can be a struggle to know where to begin when it comes to locating and selecting dental providers,” said Dr. Kimberly Koch, market dental director for CareSource Indiana. “We are thrilled to bring the dental home model to our Hoosier members and help them build strong relationships with their dentists while placing a greater focus on the importance of preventive dental care.”

Research on the use of the dental home model has pointed to several member benefits. In 2015, a study published by Health Affairs showed higher rates of preventive dental services and fewer instances of emergency dental visits among Medicaid-enrolled children connected to care through the dental home model. Additional research published by the Journal of Public Health Dentistry and The American Journal of Public Health has shown that the dental home model has been linked to lower rates of untreated dental problems among children and increased access to preventative services such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants.

“Proper access to dental care is essential, particularly for children,” said Dr. Koch. "This enhancement is just one of the many ways in which CareSource is making lasting differences in our members’ lives.”

For more information on CareSource’s dental care or to learn more about the dental home model, visit: https://www.caresource.com/in/providers/education/patient-care/dental/medicaid/.