1. Dental Resources

2. Vision Resources

GENERAL

MassHealth

Dental services covered by MassHealth include: dental checkups, preventative services, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, pain relief, treatment of infections, cleanings, fillings, crowns, and root canal treatment. See the dental coverage chart for more information. Dental implants are not on the list of covered services.

Typically folks with the following coverage types are eligible for dental services:

• MassHealth Standard
• MassHealth CommonHealth
• MassHealth CarePlus or
• MassHealth Family Assistance

Note: As MassHealth members who are enrolled in a Senior Care Option (SCO) program or the OneCare program (for dual eligibles) may receive full dental coverage through these programs, those eligible may want to consider if one of these programs is right for them.

Find a MassHealth Dental Provider 

Information about previous restorations of the MassHealth Dental Program can be found on our MassHealth page.

Health Safety Net

Health Safety Net will cover the following dental services, IF not covered by other insurance, at Community Health Centers, Hospital-Licensed Health Centers and Hospital Satellite Clinics (not at private dentists).

• Restorative (fillings);
• Endodontic (root canal);
• Periodontic (deep scaling);
• Crowns;
• Dentures (full, partial, or repair);
• Surgical procedures related to full or partial dentures.

Capacity is limited. To find providers: HSN Dental Locations (PDF) | Excel

Details of HSN dental coverage.

Medicare

• Medicare Advantage plans may provide some routine dental coverage. Whether it is covered and coverage details vary by plan; questions should be directed to the specific Medicare Advantage plan.
• Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care or most dental procedures such as cleanings, fillings, and tooth extractions. Original Medicare will never pay for dentures.
  • Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) will pay for certain dental services that you get when you're in a hospital. Part A can pay for inpatient hospital care if you need to have emergency or complicated dental procedures, even though the dental care isn't covered.
  • Medicare will cover some dental services if they are required to protect your general health, or you need dental care in order for another health service that Medicare covers to be successful. Medicare will pay for dental services if, for example
    • you receive an oral examination in the hospital because you will be having a kidney transplant;
    • you have a disease that involves the jaw (like oral cancer) and need dental services that are necessary for radiation treatment;
    • you had a facial tumor removed and had ridge reconstruction (reconstruction of part of the jaw) as part of that procedure;
    • you need surgery to treat fractures of the jaw or face;
    • you need dental splints and wiring as a result of jaw surgery.

    While Medicare may pay for these initial dental services, Medicare will not pay for any more follow-up dental care after the underlying health condition has been treated. For example, if Medicare paid for a tooth to be removed (extracted) as part of surgery to repair a facial injury you got in a car accident, it will not pay for any other dental care you may need later because you had the tooth removed.

    Medicare will pay for some dental-related hospitalizations, for example, if you develop an infection after having a tooth pulled or you require observation during a dental procedure because you have a health-threatening condition.

    -Source and for more intormation: Medicare Interactive, The Medicare Rights Center

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DENTAL SCHOOLS
Each of the schools below operates a dental clinic that offers reduced-fee dental services. Typically, in exchange for these reduced fees, patients are asked to commit to a certain number of dental visits that may last up to three hours. Dental work is performed by students under the supervision of licensed dentists. Contact the individual school for information about their costs, policies, and procedures.

Tufts University
School of Dental Medicine
1 Kneeland Street
Boston, MA 02111
617-636-6998

Boston University
Goldman School of Dental Medicine
635 Albany Street Boston, MA 02118
617-358-8310

Harvard Dental Center
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
188 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
617-432-1434 press #1 (Ask for the Teaching Practice - lowest fees)

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DENTAL HYGIENIST SCHOOLS
These schools operate dental hygiene clinics that are open to the public. Dental cleanings are performed by students under the supervision of licensed clinicians. The cost of care at one of these clinics is generally lower than at a private dentist's office. Individuals should contact the school directly to inquire about hours, costs, and payment policies.

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REDUCED COST DENTAL CLINICS

Community Health Centers

Most Community Health Centers offer dental Services with a sliding fee for the uninsured. Capacity, however, is extremely tight.

• MGH PCOI (Primary Care Office Insite). Has a list of low-cost dental providers. Find it: Select Patient Education > Dental Care > Low-cost dental care (Free registration required.)
• Similar Resources - See Guide: Massachusetts Community Health Center Dental Program Directory

Holyoke Health Dental Clinic at Western Massachusetts Hospital

Dental clinics provide cleaning, fillings, and extractions for low-income people who are unable to afford dental care. There is usually a three- to four-month waiting period of appointments. For more information, contact:

Holyoke Health Dental Clinic at Western Massachusetts Hospital
91 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01805
413-420-6260

Holyoke Health Center
230 Maple St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
413-420-2200

Chicopee Health Center
505 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
413-420-2222

Other States: Dental Lifeline Network (formerly known as the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped)

The Donated Dental Services (DDS) program - available in all states (As of this writing, due to lengthy wait lists, all MA counties are CLOSED to new applications). See the website for availability by state.

Dental Lifeline Network is a charitable affiliate of the American Dental Association that arranges comprehensive dental treatment and long-term preventive services to needy disabled, elderly or medically compromised individuals through a national network of volunteer dentists and volunteer laboratories. Donated Dental Services patients cannot afford treatment and have slipped through the cracks of Medicaid and Medicare programs with nowhere else to turn.  

Volunteer dentists treat DDS patients in their own offices where they can work more efficiently with their own equipment, supplies, and staff.

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SERVICES FOR SPECIFIC GROUPS

Veterans:

• VA Dental Care- VA offers comprehensive dental care benefits to certain qualifying Veterans. For MA veterans, see https://www.boston.va.gov/services/dental.asp or call 800-865-3384.

Those Living with HIV:

Ryan White Treatment Fund at Boston University School of Dental Medicine
The Ryan White Treatment Fund is federally funded to help people with HIV who have no dental insurance or who can verify that a procedure will not be covered by existing dental insurance. There are no copayments, caps, lifetime maximums, or income eligibility requirements. In order to be eligible, one must have medical verification of HIV status. See here for a list of participating providers.

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MassHealth Members:

See MassHealth section above.

BUMP UP at Boston University School of Dental Medicine
BUMP UP is a reduced cost program for dental care and treatment offered by Boston University School of Dental Medicine and MassHealth. Patients must be 21 years of age or older, and they must be enrolled in one of the following MassHealth programs:

• Standard
• Essential
• Basic
• Family Program
• CommonHealth
• Family Assist
• Limited

Please call 617-358-3900 for more information. .

Boston University School of Dental Medicine
635 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118
617-358-3900

Severely Developmentally/Intellectually Disabled

Special Needs Dental Care for Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - Tufts University

Related newsletter article: Dental Clinic for Severely Mentally Disabled to Stay Open Another Year - MGH Community News, April 2010

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Vision Resources

GENERAL

Insurance Coverage

MassHealth covers eye exams and eyeglasses; routine exams are covered every 12 months for those under 21 and every 24 months for those over 21. MassHealth has an optical supplier that offers a limited selection of eyeglass frames for men, women, and children. Members must choose from this selection of frames. Information describing all of the ophthalmic materials and services furnished by the optical supplier is published by the optical supplier and is distributed to vision care providers by the MassHealth agency. (Source and for more information: see the MassHealth vision care manual.)

Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. However, Medicare will pay for one pair of eyeglasses after cataract surgery with an intraocular lens. Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover the cost of eye exams and eyeglasses.

Free or Low-Cost Eyecare

Patient Handout from MGH PCOI (Primary Care Office InSite) > Eyes & Ears > Eyes > Free or Low-cost Eye Care

Additional programs:

New Eyes - purchases new prescription eyeglasses for children and adults in the US who cannot afford glasses on their own. Offers an e-voucher for a basic pair of single or lined bifoal eyeglasses through their online dispenser.

Eligibility - be in financial need (net monthly income below 250% fpl), have had a recent eye exam (within 24 months) with a pupillary distance measurment OR if a prescription older than 24 months you may be able to renew prescription.

Application

OneSight (formerly "Give the Gift of Sight") 888-935-4589- provides free glasses to eligible people. Participating agencies: LensCrafters, Sears Optical, Target Optical and Pearle Vision. One SW reports success with calling a local affiliate directly to obtain an exam in addition to glasses. Social work verification of need may be required.

One of our social workers has reported the following tips about this program (January 2017):

• Limited selection of frames and provide basic services (e.g., bifocals not graduated lenses)
• Have had a number of successes with the LensCrafters at the Cambridgeside Galleria (often can get glasses in an hour). Just send pt. with brief letter of need. Less successful finding a participating agency in Western and Central MA.
• In extenuating circumstances may even be able to help those with insurance (case example- pt lost glasses in house fire, MassHealth only covers once every two years, program was able to help).

Note: may need MGH Tax exempt number. MGH Social Service staff may contact CRC resource specialists for this number.

Boston Medical Center clinic will accept HSN for appointments with ophthalmologists or exams provided by an optician.

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Hearing Aid Resources

GENERAL

Over the Counter Hearing Aids- Hearing aids are now available to buy over the counter across the U.S.The new rule applies to products for adults who believe they have mild to moderate hearing impairment. The over-the-counter hearing devices won't be suitable for children or people with severe hearing impairment. Under the new rules, there is no longer a requirement to undergo a medical exam, obtain a prescription or be fitted for a device by an audiologist. People can still get hearing aids by seeing a doctor first, and experts say there are advantages to this option, such as being professionally fitted for a hearing aid based on your individual needs and having a doctor monitor the progression of your hearing loss. (See the full MGH Community News article from 10/22.)

Traditional Hearing Aids- Costs for hearing aids are covered by most MassHealth programs. Medicare, however, will not cover the expense for hearing aids, though some Medicare Advantage plans may. If a patient has private health insurance coverage, check to see if they will cover the expense before exploring other options for financial assistance.

Hearing Aids for Children Under Age 21 (MA) - The Hearing Aid Program for Infants and Children pays for hearing aids for children from birth through age 21. Families must meet income requirements.

Financial Assistance, Exchange and Recycling Programs for Hearing Aids and Assistive Technology - Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (12/15)

MassAbility (formerly Mass Rehabilitation Commission) - if individual needs hearing aid to get or maintain a job, assistance may be available from MassAbility's Career Services (formerly Vocational Rehabilitation services) division.

DEAF, Inc.

DEAF, Inc. provides Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living, health literacy and support, community access for DeafBlind adults, and related services. It also provides several sources for obtaining assistive technology such as hearing aids depending on the individual's income status, type of disability, type of housing, health insurance, and services received from other state agencies—full or partial financial assistance may be available for purchasing assistive technology.

DEAF, Inc.'s main office is in Boston and there are regional offices in New Bedford, Salem, and Taunton. Services are also provided at Northeast Independent Living Program (NILP) in Lawrence and Cape Organization for the Rights of the Disabled (CORD) in Hyannis. For more information, contact the Boston office at 617-505-4823 or TTY: 617-254-4041.

Lions Club Services for the Hearing Impaired

Lions Clubs assist the hard of hearing in obtaining hearing aids through their Hearing Aid Recycling Program. For more information or to locate a local Club providing hearing services, see this list or contact the national office:

Lions Clubs International
300 West 22nd Street
Oak Brook, IL 60523
630-571-5466

Starkey Neighbors in Need Program

Starkey was founded on the principles of helping others. Starkey helps communities struggling to afford hearing aids by helping them acquire technologies that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. We do this by offering cutting edge hearing solutions at a dramatically reduced price. To learn more about the Neighbors in Need program and to be referred to a Starkey Cares partner to see if you qualify, please email us at neighborsinneed@starkey.com or call 855-686-2202. Learn more.

Boston Guild for the Hard of Hearing, Northeastern University, Bouve College of Health Sciences

Boston Guild Hearing Aid Outreach Program offers quality hearing care and hearing aid(s) to individuals in the community who need financial assistance. This outstanding program offers a complimentary hearing evaluation, consultation regarding amplification options, and training sessions that teach vital skills to improve communication for individuals with hearing loss and their families. Individuals qualify for this program by completing the application and having a member of the community (e.g., audiologist, health care provider, social worker, clergy) complete the referral section of the application stating that they require financial assistance.

Please download the application and mail it to the address on the application. All parts of the application must be completed for it to be processed. The application is also available in Spanish.

Eligibility: To qualify for hearing aids, individuals must:

• Have hearing loss that may benefit from a hearing aid(s).
• Not be eligible for hearing aids through their medical insurance or other state/federal programs.
• Submit a complete application.
• Obtain medical clearance for hearing aid use from a physician.
• Provide proof of financial need.

Eligibility for financial assistance for Assistive Listening Devices only requires proof of financial need.

More information

Title VII Part B

Massachusetts Independent Living Centers have federal funds available for the purchase of equipment and services to assist people to maintain or achieve independence, including assistive listening devices. It can also pay for one-time or very limited provision of other services such as the cost of an appointment with an audiologist.

Title VII Part B services are only available for people not eligible for services under the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. All other possible sources of funding should be explored first and documented. Please note that there is a long waiting list for this program.

To apply:

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SERVICES FOR SPECIFIC GROUPS

Veterans:

Veterans Administration Speech and Audiology Department
The Veterans Administration's Audiology and Speech Pathology Service provides evaluation and treatment of disorders of hearing, balance, language, voice, speech, and swallowing which affect communication and daily function. These services are available at the West Roxbury, Brockton, and Jamaica Plain locations. Call 800-865-3384 for more information.

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Children:

The Hearing Impaired Kids Endowment Fund (HIKE)
The HIKE Fund provides hearing devices for children with hearing impairments between the ages of newborn and twenty years whose parents are unable to meet this special need financially. Children are eligible to receive a grant providing the need is verified by a prescription from an audiologist or physician. For an application, see online fillable version or contact Ellen Garrabrant HIKE Board member. For more information, contact:

The HIKE Fund, Inc.
530 Elliott St
Council Bluffs, Iowa
712-325-0812

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