TAPD Officer Spotlight—Benjamin Morgan
Posted on June 23, 2020
Name: Benjamin Morgan
Position: President
Number of years in practice: Eight
Where you went to dental school and completed residency: Baylor and Baylor
Number of years as a TAPD member: Ten total, two as a student member.
What made you decide to get involved as a TAPD officer: Dr. McWhorter, our chair and program director at Baylor, required us to go to meetings in residency and we really enjoyed every meeting. I had a lot of admiration for the people at these meetings and I wanted to have a professional life like theirs.
What is your goal for the year: Support Steven’s big agenda and be a “glue guy” and fill in the voids were I am needed. I am specifically tasked with the Bylaws and Membership committees. We will write and ratify bylaw amendments and likely initiate the TAPD policy manual to help align with AAPD. Membership committee will focus on educating new residents on organized dentistry, making sure our practicing members are heard and their wishes are met, reaching out to dentists who are new to Texas and—most importantly—making sure the membership knows they are welcome at any board meeting. Come join us in person or online!
What have you learned in your time as a TAPD member: If you are not at the table you are on the menu. In the past, we have not been consulted prior to major changes, like slashing our clinical practice purview or our reimbursements. We better be ready to step up and speak up.
What surprised you the most about the legislative process: It is not as adversarial as it appears on the news—there are many on different “sides of the aisle,” but there is a respect for the craft and the call to serve. Also, the young staffers run a lot more of the Capitol than we realize—they work very hard for all of us.
What are you most proud of about TAPD: The ridiculous amount of work these people get done for the practicing community—it is unreal for a volunteer organization. Sealants, coronal polishing, stopping tons of rate cuts, keeping sedation in our offices, and the list goes on and on…
SMMCAC Presentation June 2020
Posted on June 22, 2020
Upcoming State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Subcommittee Meetings
Posted on June 16, 2020
Several State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Subcommittees are meeting this week, and it’s critical that pediatric dentists continue to stay informed and involved in this process. Learn more about these subcommittees here: https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/leadership/advisory-committees/state-medicaid-managed-care-advisory-committee/smmcac-subcommittees
Agendas and registration details can be found at each link below.
June 25, 2020
June 26, 2020
Letter to Gov. Abbott on Medicaid
Posted on June 13, 2020
TAPD Signs on to Medicaid Safety Net Letter
TAPD has joined eight other organizations in endorsing a letter sent by the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to support the state’s Medicaid and CHIP programs through a variety of measures. Read the full text of the letter here:
Medicaid/CHIP Provider Relief Fund Payment
Posted on June 10, 2020
HHS has announced it will distribute approximately $15 billion in COVID-19 disaster relief to Medicaid and CHIP providers that were excluded from prior distributions. HHS has launched a Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal that will allow Medicaid and CHIP providers to report their annual patient revenue. The portal can be found here: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/for-providers/index.html
Payment to each eligible provider will be at least 2% of reported gross revenue from patient care. Dentists are eligible for this funding, but you must have billed Medicaid/CHIP for services between January 1, 2018 and May 31, 2020 and you must not have received payments from the Provider Relief Fund General Distribution.
For more information on eligibility and the application process, please visit https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/general-information/index.html
TAPD Officer Spotlight—Steve Siedow
Posted on June 9, 2020
Name: Steve Siedow
Position: President
Number of years in practice: Four
Where you went to dental school and completed residency: The University of Texas at San Antonio / Texas A&M College of Dentistry
Number of years as a TAPD member: Four
What made you decide to get involved as a TAPD officer: Organized dentistry was emphasized throughout my dental education, and I felt it was important to incorporate that into my professional life. I feel a responsibility to give back. I believe it was the late, great, Dr. Paul Taylor who once said “there’s more to pediatric dentistry than just drilling and filling holes.” Our practice in McAllen has followed that motto.
What is your goal for the year: My goal is to continue to push forward our legislative agenda and continue to provide guidance to the managed care organizations.
What have you learned in your time as a TAPD member: Every decision that is made is done as a group. Everything we publish has been discussed at length by both local and nationally recognized providers. The caliber of individuals involved at TAPD is phenomenal and I love learning from them each and every time we get together.
What surprised you the most about the legislative process: I am always surprised how fragile the legislative process is and how massive decisions are influenced by people who have no clear picture of dentistry in general. We have taken great strides to become patient advocates and more integrated in the state’s legislative process.
What are you most proud of about TAPD: We are one of the nation’s premier pediatric dental organizations. Other states look to us for guidance. Our position has been built by the work of few, yet many benefit. It is imperative that we keep expanding our efforts to help not only the kids, but also the wonderful providers who have the privilege to treat them.
SAVE THE DATE: Important TSBDE and HHSC Meetings
Posted on May 29, 2020
The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) will meet via telephone at 8:30 a.m. on June 5. The agenda can be found here: https://tsbde.texas.gov/78i8ljhbj/Board-Meeting-Agenda-6.5.2020.pdf
The following TSBDE committees will meet on June 4:
Licensing Committee: 10:00 a.m. https://tsbde.texas.gov/78i8ljhbj/Licensing-Committee-Agenda.pdf
Dental Practice Committee: 1:00 p.m. https://tsbde.texas.gov/78i8ljhbj/Dental-Practice-Committee-Agenda.pdf
Anesthesia Committee: 2:00 p.m. https://tsbde.texas.gov/78i8ljhbj/Anesthesia-Committee-Agenda.pdf
The State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Committee will meet on June 26. Agenda is forthcoming: https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/leadership/advisory-committees/state-medicaid-managed-care-advisory-committee
MCO Waivers Extended
Posted on May 28, 2020
HHSC has granted a second extension for Medicaid managed care organization waivers set to expire in May to apply through June 2020. The waivers include THSteps Medical and Dental Checkups and flexibility for provider enrollment, prior authorizations, and CHIP copayments.
Click the download button for the full list of waiver extensions:
N95 masks & PPE supplies
Posted on
We want to share some options in response to the questions we received regarding PPE supplies.
The Department of State Health Services recently removed their restrictions on who could obtain PPE from the state. Now when a health care provider cannot obtain PPE from their vendors and has exhausted all options to obtain PPE and supplies are nearing depletion, the health care provider may submit a request to the state through a State of Texas Assistance Request (STAR) by working with their local emergency management office or disaster district coordinator. Contact your Texas District Coordinator to find out who your local emergency management representative is.
Please note that requests will be filled based on availability of supplies and are not guaranteed.
We were informed today that TDA members are eligible to order one box of 50 N95 respirators while supplies last. TDA members may begin ordering immediately. There will be a nominal fee of $40 for shipping and handling, plus credit card processing fees. Non-member dentists may begin ordering at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2020.
Please visit https://www.summitppe.com/ to place your order.
We will pass along any additional information we receive on PPE supplies.
Best,
TAPD Executive Board
TAPD Statement on Emergency Rule 22 TAC §108.7 (16)
Posted on April 30, 2020
Today, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) passed Emergency Rule 22 TAC §108.7 (16), which governs the reopening of dental practices in Texas. While this rule must go back to the governor for final approval, no changes are expected. We will post the official guidance to our social media and website when it posted in the Texas Register.
Dentists should use 22 TAC §108.7 (16) as official guidance for your practices during COVID-19. TSBDE advises you should not reopen your practice until you have the proper personal protection equipment (PPE).
For additional guidance and recommendations, please utilize AAPD’s re-emergence checklist.
TAPD thanks each of you for your feedback regarding reopening practices. Your recommendations were part of our correspondence with the TSBDE and the Governor’s Office. While you may begin practicing tomorrow, we hope you will do so in safe and prudent manner.
