The MO HealthNet Division (MHD) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. The virus has been named "SARS-CoV-2" and the disease it causes has been named "coronavirus disease 2019" (abbreviated "COVID-19").
The Department of Commerce and Insurance, Missouri State Dental Board, filed an emergency rule to create a limited temporary dental license to allow recent dental school graduates to practice dentistry while they are waiting for clinical competency examinations to be rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rule was filed April 23, 2020, became effective May 7, 2020 and expires February 16, 2021. The rule can be found in its entirety at 20 CSR 2110-2.020 Limited Temporary Dental License.
In response to this emergency rule, the MHD is allowing dentists with a limited temporary license to enroll as a MO HealthNet provider. The provider’s enrollment will be made active as of the date of enrollment and will expire in accordance with the expiration date stated on the provider’s limited temporary license. Dental providers with a limited temporary license will be issued an individual NPI to be used when billing services. Dental providers with a limited temporary dental license may practice dentistry under the direct supervision of a Missouri licensed dentist. Direct supervision means the supervising dentist is physically present and remains in the treatment facility while the dental work is being performed by the limited temporary dental license holder. The supervising dentist shall check the work performed by the limited temporary dental license holder prior to the patient being discharged.
To enroll as a dental provider with the MO HealthNet program, visit the Missouri Medicaid Audit & Compliance (MMAC) web page for more information.
This Hot Tip applies to providers that wish to enroll with the MHD to provide services through the fee-for-service program. Providers wishing to enroll with the Managed Care Organizations should contact the organizations directly for their enrollment requirements.
The MHD has established an e-mail account for providers with questions about special accommodations and billing questions during the COVID-19 event. Please contact us at MHD.COVID-19@dss.mo.gov.