Bill
H 1401
Overview: H 1401, An Act increasing access to MassHealth dental providers, reporting date extended until Wednesday, March 18, 2026, introduced on February 27, 2025.Purpose and Inte
Overview: H 1401, An Act increasing access to MassHealth dental providers, reporting date extended until Wednesday, March 18, 2026, introduced on February 27, 2025.
Purpose and Intent: The main goal of this bill is to improve access to dental care for MassHealth (Medicaid) recipients in Massachusetts. The legislation aims to address the shortage of dentists willing to accept MassHealth patients by increasing reimbursement rates and providing other incentives.
Key Provisions:
- Raises MassHealth reimbursement rates for dental services by 20% to make them more competitive with private insurance
- Establishes a student loan repayment program for dentists who commit to treating a minimum number of MassHealth patients
- Requires MassHealth to conduct outreach to recruit more dental providers to participate in the program
- Directs the state to develop a public awareness campaign to inform MassHealth enrollees about available dental services
Affected Parties and Impacts:
- MassHealth recipients will benefit from improved access to dental care and potentially better oral health outcomes
- Dentists who choose to participate in the expanded MassHealth program will receive higher reimbursements
- The state Medicaid program will incur additional costs to fund the higher reimbursement rates and student loan repayment program
Procedural and Timeline Considerations:
The bill is currently in committee, with the reporting date extended to March 18, 2026. If passed, the provisions would likely take effect in the following fiscal year to allow time for implementation.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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