There is more big news in the U.S. House of Representatives! Patients and their families affected by congenital anomalies, including cleft lip/palate, are closer to getting health insurance benefits for the treatments they need, including medically necessary orthodontic treatment.
The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA) passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday, April 4th in a bipartisan vote of 310-110. The AAO was pleased to see that ELSA won support from both Republicans and Democrats. ELSA garnered the supermajority last September and had 304 co-sponsors plus Representative Eshoo as the main sponsor. There is a lot of momentum behind ELSA, and with your help now, we can keep that momentum going!
States have existing statutes that mandate medical benefits to “people born with a congenital anomaly and resultant missing/defective body parts”. Yet, insurance companies auto-deny claims for medical treatment when the missing body part is TEETH. ELSA closes a coverage gap to ensure that health plans cover medically necessary services related to a patient’s anomaly or birth defect, including any serious dental and oral-related procedures that are necessary to maintaining health and overall function.
Your voice is important to get ELSA passed in the U.S. Senate, where there are currently 49 Co-Sponsors!
The AAO has joined a broad coalition of national health care professional and patient advocacy organizations to support this legislation and has been a member-requested priority for the AAO for the past few years. Our Federal advocacy on behalf of our members and their patients is enhanced through AAOPAC relationships. Make your AAOPAC contribution now at AAOPAC.org.
