CHICAGO, November 9, 2022 — Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved ballot Question 2, delivering first-in-the-nation dental insurance reform that will assure patient dollars are spent on patient care, protect consumers from large increases in dental insurance premiums, and provide increased transparency of and accountability for dental insurer spending. Now, the better dental benefits and consumer protections afforded by Question 2 are poised to be replicated in states across the country.
“With the overwhelming support of the voters, Massachusetts dentists, health professionals, and their patients have sent a powerful message across the country. By working together and engaging with our patients and our communities, dentists can help achieve significant reforms in dental insurance so that our patients are protected and are assured greater value from their dental insurance plans,” said George Shepley, D.D.S., president of the American Dental Association.
For decades, the lack of adequate consumer protections for dental patients has allowed dental insurers to put their own profits and operations ahead of serving consumers and supporting the oral health of patients. That is why the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) and American Dental Association (ADA) endorsed a “yes” vote on Question 2 and led the campaign for its passage through the Massachusetts Dental Care Providers for Better Dental Benefits Committee.
“Together, we put patients first over profits. We thank the voters of Massachusetts and our over 5,000 member dentists of the MDS who worked hard to inform and engage their communities, as well as all of the individuals and organizations in the commonwealth and across the country who provided support to assist with this measure’s passage,” said Meredith Bailey, D.M.D., president of the Massachusetts Dental Society. “Dental patients deserve the same consumer protections as medical patients, and we are hopeful that the better dental benefits that the people of Massachusetts will soon experience will spread to patients across the country.”
“This is a landmark victory for Massachusetts dental patients, who will get more value from what they are already paying for dental care and be protected from large increases in premiums thanks to the passage of Question 2,” said Andrew Tonelli, D.M.D., committee spokesperson and co-chair of the MDS’ Government Affairs Committee. “It is also a milestone for dental insurance reform at the national level. By making dental insurers more transparent and accountable to the dental patients they serve, people will be better able to judge the value of insurance products relative to treatment provided and health outcomes they support.”
Question 2 will:
- Require that dental insurance companies spend at least 83 percent of premium dollars on patient dental care and quality improvements, instead of administrative expenses and overhead such as executive salaries;
- Require that dental insurance companies that do not meet the 83 percent requirement refund the difference to their covered individuals or groups;
- Require dental insurance plans be more transparent with patients by disclosing administrative costs and other financial information annually to the Massachusetts Division of Insurance in order to demonstrate how premium dollars are being spent, including how much is being spent on patient care;
- Allow the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Insurance to approve or disapprove of any proposed rates for dental insurance plans.
“The American Dental Association has been proud to partner with the Massachusetts Dental Society in advocating for the health of the public and in helping to achieve this precedent-setting victory for Massachusetts dental patients that could herald future changes for dental insurance reforms nationwide,” Dr. Shepley concluded.
For more information on the campaign, visit VoteYESon2ForDental.com.