HR1177 LRB094 20229 LJB 58125 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, During the 92nd General Assembly, legislation was
3 passed that provided for coverage of charges incurred for
4 anesthetics provided in conjunction with dental care in a
5 hospital or ambulatory surgical center; restrictions in the
6 legislation require (i) that the individual be a child 6 year
7 of age or under, (ii) that the individual have a medical
8 condition that requires hospitalization for general anesthesia
9 for dental care, or (iii) that the individual be disabled; and
 
10     WHEREAS, It is far more cost effective and just as safe to
11 do the dental work in a dental office; in addition, performing
12 the dental work in a dental office will increase access for
13 this restricted group of needy individuals; and
 
14     WHEREAS, 80% of dentists do not have hospital privileges;
15 and
 
16     WHEREAS, More cost effective pharmacologic methods of
17 patient management are currently not reimbursable, such as oral
18 sedation, IV sedation, or use of an office based
19 anesthesiologist; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Special needs patients, such as autistic
21 patients, do not respond well to "new" environments; and
 
22     WHEREAS, Hospital operating rooms are less efficient and
23 effective environments for the delivery of dental care as
24 compared to a dedicated dental facility; and
 
25     WHEREAS, The available dental equipment in many hospitals
26 is either limited or non-existent; and
 
27     WHEREAS, Many hospitals restrict the use of dental
28 auxiliaries in the operating room, including dental assistants

 

 

HR1177 - 2 - LRB094 20229 LJB 58125 r

1 and hygienists; and
 
2     WHEREAS, Office-based dental treatment will "main stream"
3 special needs individuals and results in lower patient stress
4 and anxiety; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Due to the greater cost effectiveness of
6 office-based care, more frequent oral evaluations with earlier
7 detection of oral disease is possible for special needs
8 patients; therefore, be it
 
9     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11 we urge the Division of Insurance of the Department of
12 Financial and Professional Regulation to complete a study on
13 the cost benefits of requiring accident and health insurance
14 policies to cover charges incurred and anesthesia provided in
15 conjunction with dental care that is provided to children and
16 disabled individuals in a dental office as well as a hospital
17 or ambulatory surgical treatment center; and be it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That the study and its findings be reported back
19 to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2006; and be
20 it further
 
21     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
22 delivered to the Director of the Division of Insurance of the
23 Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the
24 Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.