These changes are anticipated to support the goals outlined in the CY 2023 PFS final rule (87 FR 69777 through 69978) and CY 2024 PFS final rule (88 FR 79093 through 79232) for growing the program, with a particular focus on including underserved communities

* * * * * (i) * * * (3) * * * (i) * * * (A) Dental or oral examination performed as part of a comprehensive workup prior to, and medically necessary diagnostic and treatment services to eliminate an oral or dental infection prior to, or contemporaneously with, the following Medicare-covered services: organ transplant, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, bone marrow transplant, cardiac valve replacement, valvuloplasty procedures, chemotherapy when used in the treatment of cancer, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy when used in the treatment of cancer, administration of high-dose bone-modifying agents (antiresorptive therapy) when used in the treatment of cancer, and dialysis services in the treatment of end stage renal disease
The target was located in counties dispersed outside of major metropolitan areas
Data from 2011/12 to 2019/20 also showed persisting large disparities in smoking by ethnicity and socio-economic status (SES)