Bill > H4420

This bill proposes to expand dental coverage for senior citizens by amending Chapter 118E of the General Laws, which governs the Division of Medical Assistance (also known as MassHealth). Specifically, it seeks to add "all dental services including dentures, restorative, endodontic, and periodontal treatment" to the list of covered services. Dentures are artificial teeth, restorative treatment addresses decay or damage, endodontic treatment deals with the inside of the tooth (like root canals), and periodontal treatment focuses on gum health. The bill also mandates that for adults aged 65 and older, MassHealth must cover all federally optional services that were part of its state plan or demonstration program as of January 1, 2002, explicitly including all dental services. Furthermore, it ensures that dental services for adults in the MassHealth Essential program will be covered to the same extent as they were for adults in the MassHealth Basic program on January 1, 2002, aiming to provide more comprehensive dental care for older residents.