Dentist disputes Medicaid changes
<p>John M. Ukich, a dentist at Pediatric Dental Center in Coeur d'Alene, performs a check-up on Misty Koester, 8, during an appointment Thursday. Ukich notified at least 2,000 of his Medicaid patients to inform them he wouldn't be able to provide care under Medicaid because of recent cuts to the program and its reimbursements.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - A Coeur d'Alene dentist said he'll have to stop treating 2,000 patients due to changes in Medicaid reimbursements.
Dr. John Ukich said after 32 years of serving local children and families, his office can no longer treat Medicaid patients.
"For years we have urged the Legislature to address this issue, but without success," he said. "We've watched the funding situation deteriorate steadily. Finally we have come to the difficult realization that change can only come through public pressure. We must take a stand against this unfair and unworkable contract. We cannot sign it."
Here's the problem.
Ukich said the state reimburses dentists for part of the cost of their treatment. That percentage, though, has been shrinking.
"In fact, over the past 10 years, our office has given away over $2 million in non-reimbursed services to our Medicaid patients," he wrote in a letter to his patients.
Reimbursement rates are now being reduced to about 30 percent of a dental office's usual fees, he said.
"Who can provide a service for 30 cents on the dollar?" Ukich said. "Imagine being told that your salary had been cut from $1,000 to $300? Or that instead of receiving $10 an hour, you get $3?"
As a result, he said they have to stop seeing Medicaid patients.
"Over 2,000 patients from our practice will not have a dental office to call home," Ukich said. "Medicaid patients will be unable to have treatment completed, unless they can find a new provider or pay out-of-pocket."
He is hoping the Legislature will address the issue, and is calling on patients to contact representatives and senators.
"Tell them your child has no dentist to go to - until all dentists once again get fair Medicaid reimbursement," Ukich wrote in his letter.
He believes the situation can be fixed by working together and is looking for ways to provide dental care for families in need.
"Our prayer is that the state does not wait to act until there is a medical tragedy or loss of life from a dental infection," he said.