H.R. 10676: Foster Youth Dental Act of 2026

This bill would change Medicaid rules for certain young adults who were in foster care, with a focus on dental coverage and getting people enrolled in the program.

Expanded Medicaid dental coverage for some former foster youth

Under current Medicaid rules, some preventive and screening services for children and teens under the EPSDT benefit stop at age 21. This bill would extend those services, including dental services, for certain people who were in foster care until they turn 26, if they meet the bill’s definition of a “specified individual.” In practical terms, this means some former foster youth could keep getting Medicaid-covered dental and related preventive services for five additional years.

The bill would also require states to tell these eligible individuals about dental services as part of the information they provide about Medicaid treatment services. It adds language making sure the importance of oral health is specifically included in those notices.

Higher required payment rates for dentists

The bill would require Medicaid to pay dentists at least a minimum rate for dental services provided to these covered former foster youth under age 26. That minimum would be based on a “specified average rate,” which is tied to average contracted rates from private insurance or group health plans over the previous five years, either in the state or nationwide, depending on what the state selects.

For Medicaid managed care plans, the bill would also update the payment rules so this minimum rate applies there as well.

More federal funding for the added dental payment costs

If a state has to pay dentists more because of this new minimum rate, the federal government would cover 100% of the added cost for those higher payments, for states and the District of Columbia. The bill says this full federal match applies only to the portion of spending that results from the new minimum payment requirement compared with the state’s payment level as of January 1, 2026.

Outreach and enrollment requirements

The bill would require states to create an outreach and enrollment program within six months after enactment to help eligible former foster youth enroll in Medicaid. States would need to work with the agency that runs the state’s child welfare program, along with other relevant agencies, and follow best practices set by the federal government.

States would also need to create an outreach program aimed at dentists in the state to encourage them to sign up as Medicaid providers.

When the changes would take effect

The coverage, payment, and outreach changes would generally start with the first calendar quarter beginning at least 80 days after the bill becomes law.

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