Nebraskans with Medicaid Receive Dental and Vision Coverage Starting in October

Three years after Nebraskans voted to expand Medicaid eligibility, those who are covered will receive full benefits — including dental and vision— starting this month. The Medicaid program in Nebraska is called Heritage Health.

Previously, Medicaid coverage in Nebraska only offered the basic tier of benefits, including visits to the doctor’s office, hospital, and prescription drugs. The new benefits include what were previously known as prime benefits: dental, vision and over-the-counter medications.

Nebraska announced plans to institute a two-tier Medicaid expansion system with a roundabout work requirement a year ago. Despite the fact that attempts to institute Medicaid work requirements have been struck down by federal courts, Nebraska’s unique system was built to withstand court challenges and was granted approval by the Trump administration. Healthy adults who wanted access to prime benefits would have been required to attend an annual health visit, complete a risk assessment, and complete 80 hours of “community engagement activities” like work, school or volunteering every month.

The state announced in June that this program would not be implemented, and the Heritage Health Adult (HHA) expansion would automatically deliver all benefits to recipients.

“Previously, you had to be medically frail or pregnant to receive prime benefits,” explained Cherylle Leffall, the eligibility and enrollment supervisor at Charles Drew Health Centers. “The change this year is that everyone will receive equal benefits, so everyone will receive medical, dental, vision, prescription and over-the-counter drug coverage.”