Hawaii health insurers offer dental for Medicaid members

HONOLULU — Two health insurers in Hawaii will cover dental care for adults on Medicaid after the state program excluded oral health benefits a decade ago.

AlohaCare and Ohana Health Plan are investing nearly $1 million to provide basic adult dental care for Medicaid members, which number about 364,000 residents in Hawaii.

The basic care covers an annual exam and cleaning every six months at no extra cost, as well as simple tooth extraction, filling and topical fluoride.

Current members and those who sign up for either health plan this month can get dental care starting in January.

The program will operate at least through January 2020 when health insurance contracts for the state’s Medicaid program go up for bid.