The ADA News (11/17, Garvin) reported that on Nov. 16 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced several proposed changes to Medicare drug plans, to include “rescinding the requirement that dentists enroll in or validly opt-out of Medicare” for “Part D drug prescriptions to be covered.” The ADA has been working for more than three years to have CMS remove the Medicare Part D enrollment requirement for dentists. “This is great news for dental patients,” ADA President Joseph P. Crowley said, adding, “The ADA has fought to have these unnecessary and duplicative paperwork requirements reformed and we are glad to see CMS recognizes the need to minimize interruptions to patients’ access to needed care and medications.” The ADA News added that “the proposed rule is expected to be published Nov. 28 and would likely be finalized in 2018.”

For information on all of the ADA’s advocacy efforts, visit ADA.org/advocacy.