MassHealth extends dental benefits to kids on Family Assistance

As of October 1, 2009, MassHealth will extend full dental benefits to members under age 19 who receive Family Assistance premium assistance. Families should receive a letter from MassHealth (PDF) during September explaining the coverage. A MassHealth card to use for dental services is scheduled for a later mailing.

If the private plan of a child receiving premium assistance offers dental coverage, the private insurance must be billed first. MassHealth will pay for dental services and charges that are not covered by the child’s private insurance.

For additional information, please see:

• A memo from MassHealth (PDF) explaining the change
  (Please note: these benefits only apply to Family Assistance premium assistance members under age 19.)
• A summary of MassHealth dental benefits on Massresources.org

These changes are made possible by new rules under the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009.

Thanks to the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute for passing along the memo from MassHealth.