Massachusetts Dental Insurance

MA Dental Plans & Premiums

An examination of 16 different dental plans offered by six different insurance brands established a monthly premium range (assuming a 33 year-old applicant in Pittsfield) from $26.85 a month (Humana Bright Plus PPO) to $94.37 (Nationwide’s Classic 2000 + VSP Premium). The average premium for the plans surveyed was $54.46 a month. 10 of the 16 plans reviewed had monthly premiums below the average. The companies represented in this review included:

• Ameritas
• Guardian
• Humana
• Renaissance
• NCD by MetLife

All the Massachusetts plans reviewed had a maximum benefit (an annual limit on insurance company spending on client dental care). The average limit of dental costs an insurer would pay for covered dental treatment in the first year of enrollment was $1,809. This limit on insurer contributions is known as the “maximum benefit” and dental bills in excess of this amount are paid in full by the customer, not the insurance company. Before the maximum benefit was reached, insurer payments toward dental services such as filling for a cavity averaged 55 percent of the total cost of treatment. Some plans increased their contributions for consumers who stayed enrolled for a second and third year of coverage.

Deductibles varied by dental plan, but to a much lesser extent than deductibles vary among traditional medical insurance plans. The lowest single-person deductible among the Massachusetts dental plans reviewed was $50 annually. The highest deductible for an individual was $150, though this was a one-time deductible whose satisfaction lasted as long as the customer was continuously enrolled in the dental plan (Humana Loyalty Plus PPO). On average, deductibles required an individual enrollee to pay $68.75 in dental costs before the insurance company would begin paying for expenses.

Some plans capped the maximum deductible expense for an entire family (e.g. $150) while other plans had a deductible for each family member (e.g. $50 per person). The family caps were as high as $450 a year. Some plans with deductibles waived the deductible obligation for preventive services such as annual teeth cleaning performed by an in-network dentist.

Great State for Dentists?

Nearly 7,000,000 people live in Massachusetts, with the majority of them residing in the eastern portion of the state. The population leans toward the better educated with 90.8 percent having at least a high school degree and about 44 percent with a college Bachelors degree according to the U.S. Census. A 2019 study by 24/7 Wall St. claimed that Massachusetts was the best state for a dental practice when considering dentists per capita, salary, the presence of dental schools, and quality of life.

Low-Income Options

Massachusetts understands the importance of regular dental care for people with modest financial means. The information below outlines the state’s dental benefits within its Medicaid program. Our resource labeled "Low-Cost Dental Clinics" at the bottom of this page also provides additional options for people with limited finances but ineligible for Medicaid.

Medicaid and Dental Care in Massachusetts

Medicaid is a government-run insurance program providing health coverage to people (children as well as adults) who have a low household income. In the state of Massachusetts, the program is named "MassHealth." MassHealth does offer dental benefits for individuals who qualify for the program. Covered dental services may include annual dental exams, preventive services, x-rays, teeth cleaning, dental sealants, fillings, crowns, and root canals.

To determine if you are eligible for MassHealth, visit the State of Massachusetts's webpage detailing the eligibility requirements for MassHealth, the Health Safety Net, and Children's Medical Security Plan.

Insurance Rates in Your Region

Dental insurance rates can vary across a state. To see how dental plan costs compare in your region, use our tool to get dental insurance quotes for the available plans. You can also see what plans are popular in the state by reviewing the below list of the bestselling Massachusetts plans on DentalInsurance.com.