AN ACT to require the Division of Medical Assistance and the Division of Public Health, in the Department of Health and Human Services, to explore Issues related to providing Dental services to the special Needs population.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  The Department of Health and Human Services, Divisions of Medical Assistance and Public Health, shall study issues that may facilitate dental care and improved dental outcomes for the special needs population.  Issues studied shall include at least the following:
(1)	The feasibility and anticipated impact of expanding Medicaid dental services to include reimbursement for evidenced‑based topical fluoride treatment and other chemotherapeutic agents used to prevent periodontal disease in high‑risk adults with special health care needs.
(2)	The feasibility and anticipated impact of implementing facility code policies that would allow certified providers to bill for each patient seen in a long‑term care facility or group home on the date of service.
SECTION 1.(b)  The Department of Health and Human Services shall report its findings and recommendations to the  North Carolina Study Commission on Aging and the Public Health Study Commission on or before November 15, 2011.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 6th day of July, 2010.

	s/	 Walter H. Dalton
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 Joe Hackney
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Beverly E. Perdue
	 Governor

Approved 7:00 a.m. this 11th day of July, 2010