MassHealth Dental - Details on Cuts and
Health Centers with Dental Services

 

As reported in the May MGH Community News, state budget cuts to MassHealth led to the elimination of adult restorative dental benefits, effective July 1, 2010. Below are some additional details.

The following dental services were eliminated for adults:

• Restorative (fillings)
• Root canals
• Deep scaling
• Crowns
• Dentures
• Surgical procedures related to dentures

Adult members remain eligible for:

• Diagnostic services (exams and x-rays)
• Preventive services (cleanings)
• Extractions
• Emergencies
• Some oral surgeries  

Who does this affect?

• Adults 20 and older on MassHealth
• All Commonwealth Care Plan Type 1 members (other Commonwealth Care plans do not have dental benefits)

Who still has full dental benefits?

• Children on MassHealth
• Adults with intellectual disabilities on MassHealth who are served by the Dept of Developmental Services
• Seniors who are on Senior Care Options plans (SCO's)

What are the alternatives?

• For those with Health Safety Net, HSN will cover these dental services at health centers. However, capacity at health center dental clinics is extremely tight. See the list of health centers that offer dental services.
• Dental schools also offer services at low cost. Dentists in non-health center or hospital locations may bill patients who have MassHealth for non-covered dental services .

-Adapted from “ Dental services for MassHealth and Commonwealth Care members” e-mail from Kim Simonian, MPH, Associate Director, Patient Access, Partners HealthCare Community Benefit Programs, July 29, 2010.

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