Case Management and Prepaid Capitation as a Cost-Effective and Improved Method of Delivery of Dental Services: Massachusetts Dental Project

摘要

The Massachusetts Dental Project (MDP) was a 4-year research demonstration study funded by the Health Care Financing Administration's Office of Research and Demonstrations and by the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare (MDPW). The goal of the study was to assess the capitated financing method of delivering dental services to AFDC recipients. Data collection on the dental needs and services provided to enrolled members was conducted from July 1981 through June 1983. MDPW contracted with ten dental practices to provide dental services to approximately 2,300 AFDC recipients who enrolled in the research study. Enrollees were offered three incentives to join MDP. Two control groups comprised of Medicaid families with children were selected for comparison with the MDP study group. MDP's capitation rate was based on a chair-hour formula and was $4.20 per enrollee per month. The major finding of the study is that capitation financing of dental care for AFDC recipients can potentially result in cost savings for Medicaid on both a short- and long-term basis.