Kansas Medicaid Dental Rate Increase: What Providers Need to Know
Earlier this year, the Kansas Legislature appropriated $5 million for a second Medicaid dental fee-for-service rate increase, building on the $10 million investment enacted in 2025. Together, these investments represent the largest increase in Kansas Medicaid dental rates in decades and an important step toward improving access to dental care for Kansans enrolled in Medicaid.
Provider Feedback Helps Shape Rate Priorities
To help maximize the impact of the 2026 investment, the Kansas dental community was invited to share which dental services should be prioritized for increased reimbursement. Thank you to everyone who participated in the anonymous provider survey!
The feedback was shared with the Kansas Medicaid program and helped inform the development of the new rate policy. Your participation demonstrates the value of bringing dental providers into conversations about reimbursement and the sustainability of Medicaid participation.
Dental provider survey results
Where Does the Rate Increase Stand?
The 2026 Medicaid dental rate increase is currently going through the federal State Plan Amendment (SPA) approval process. A SPA is a formal request submitted by a state Medicaid agency to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make changes to its Medicaid program.
This is a standard part of the Medicaid policy process and is not unique to Kansas or its dental program. The new rate policy cannot be officially announced until CMS approves the SPA.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the new rates take effect?
The planned effective date is October 1, 2026. The rate policy is awaiting CMS approval, and the official announcement cannot be released until the SPA is approved. The increase is intended to be applied retroactively to October 1, with providers receiving the difference for eligible services.
How long does the SPA process take?
CMS guidelines generally identify a 90-day review period for a SPA. However, requests for additional information or other factors can extend the process. At this time, there is no definitive timeline for approval.
Which dental codes will receive a rate increase?
The specific dental services and reimbursement amounts will be outlined in the new rate policy. The Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP) will announce the policy through a KMAP bulletin after the SPA is approved.
Oral Health Kansas is monitoring the process and will share updates as soon as more information becomes available.
Looking Ahead: Continued Advocacy for Medicaid Dental Access
While these investments represent meaningful progress, feedback from Kansas dental providers makes it clear that additional funding is needed to make Medicaid participation sustainable for dental practices.
Without dental providers willing and able to serve Medicaid members, coverage alone cannot guarantee access to care. Adequate reimbursement is an important part of ensuring that dental practices can continue serving patients while covering the costs of providing care.
Oral Health Kansas and our partners will return to the Legislature in 2027 to advocate for another Medicaid dental rate increase. Our goal is to help make Medicaid a more sustainable option for dental practices and improve access to the care Kansans need.
The Kansas dental community’s voice matters. Learn how you can get involved in Medicaid dental advocacy for 2027.
Watch our previous Medicaid webinar: Behind the Curtain
Stay Connected with Pathways to Oral Health
Pathways to Oral Health is committed to strengthening connections among dental providers, community partners, and the Kansas Medicaid program to help improve access to oral health care across Kansas.
We had hoped our October 13 webinar, Kansas Medicaid: New Rates and Provider Perspectives, would provide an opportunity to review the new rates together. Because the official rate policy has not yet been released, the webinar will be rescheduled once the policy becomes available.
Thank you for your continued engagement, patience, and commitment to improving oral health for Kansans. We will share updates as more information becomes available.
