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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1854 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1258
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Paul McMurtry and Michael F. Rush
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act requiring coverage of medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer
survivor.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Paul McMurtry11th Norfolk1/15/2025David F. DeCoste5th Plymouth2/10/2025John F. KeenanNorfolk and Plymouth2/25/2025Jacob R. OliveiraHampden, Hampshire and Worcester2/27/2025Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester2/27/2025Patrick Joseph Kearney4th Plymouth3/12/2025 1 of 10
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1854 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1258
By Representative McMurtry of Dedham and Senator Rush, a joint petition (accompanied by
bill, House, No. 1258) of Paul McMurtry, David F. DeCoste and others relative to coverage of
medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors. Financial Services.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act requiring coverage of medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer
survivor.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
2section 17O, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-
3 Section 17P. Any coverage offered by the commission to an active or retired employee of
4the commonwealth insured under the group insurance commission shall provide coverage for:
5 (a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to
6the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary
7dental procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss
8in enrollees.
9 (b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck
10cancer including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton
11therapy, and radiation therapy. 2 of 10
12 (c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phophylaxis’, scaling
13and root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride
14treatments including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the
15risk of infection; or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck
16cancer
17 treatment.
18 (d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer
19including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy,
20and radiation therapy
21 (e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and
22rehabilitation necessary for head and neck cancer treatment and the restoration of function.
23 (f) patient education, medical devices, prostheses, obturators, dental implants,
24rehabilitative services necessary to restore, maintain, or improve, the whole or partial function
25related to eating, breathing, voice, speech, quality of life, social functioning and swallowing; and
26to
27 approximate the normal appearance of any abnormal structures that is affected by a head
28and neck cancer diagnosis and/or the treatment of head and neck cancer, or the side effects
29resulting from the treatment.
30 (g) restorative and rehabilitative care including but not limited to: medications,
31restoration procedures, and other medical interventions required to address impairments resulting
32from head and neck cancer or its treatment. 3 of 10
33 SECTION 2. Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
34section 10J, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-
35 Section 10K. The division shall provide coverage for:
36 (a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to
37the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary
38dental procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss
39in enrollees.
40 (b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck
41cancer including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton
42therapy, and radiation therapy.
43 (c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phophylaxis’, scaling
44and root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride
45treatments including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the
46risk of infection; or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck
47cancer treatment.
48 (d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer
49including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy,
50and radiation therapy.
51 (e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and
52rehabilitation necessary for head and neck cancer treatment and the restoration of function. 4 of 10
53 (f) patient education, medical devices, prostheses, obturators, dental implants,
54rehabilitative services necessary to restore, maintain, or improve, the whole or partial function
55related to eating, breathing, voice, speech, quality of life, social functioning and swallowing; and
56to
57 approximate the normal appearance of any abnormal structures that is affected by a head
58and neck cancer diagnosis and/or the treatment of head and neck cancer, or the side effects
59resulting from the treatment.
60 (g) restorative and rehabilitative care including but not limited to: medications,
61restoration procedures, and other medical interventions required to address impairments resulting
62from head and neck cancer or its treatment.
63 SECTION 3. Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
64section 47II, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-
65 Section 47JJ. A policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance issued,
66delivered or renewed within the commonwealth that provides medical expense coverage shall
67provide coverage for:
68 (a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to
69the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary
70dental procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss
71in enrollees. 5 of 10
72 (b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck
73cancer including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton
74therapy, and radiation therapy.
75 (c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phophylaxis’, scaling
76and root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride
77treatments including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the
78risk of infection; or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck
79cancer treatment.
80 (d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer
81including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy,
82and radiation therapy.
83 (e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and
84rehabilitation necessary for head and neck cancer treatment and the restoration of function.
85 (f) patient education, medical devices, prostheses, obturators, dental implants,
86rehabilitative services necessary to restore, maintain, or improve, the whole or partial function
87related to eating, breathing, voice, speech, quality of life, social functioning and swallowing; and
88to approximate the normal appearance of any abnormal structures that is affected by a head and
89neck cancer diagnosis and/or the treatment of head and neck cancer, or the side effects resulting
90from the treatment.
91 (g) restorative and rehabilitative care including but not limited to: medications,
92restoration procedures, and other medical interventions required to address impairments resulting
93from head and neck cancer or its treatment. 6 of 10
94 SECTION 4. Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
95section 8KK, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-
96 Section 8LL. A contract between a subscriber and the corporation under an individual or
97group hospital service plan that is delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall
98provide coverage for:
99 (a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to
100the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary
101dental procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss
102in enrollees.
103 (b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck
104cancer including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton
105therapy, and radiation therapy.
106 (c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phophylaxis’, scaling
107and root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride
108treatments including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the
109risk of infection; or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck
110cancer treatment.
111 (d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer
112including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy,
113and radiation therapy. 7 of 10
114 (e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and
115rehabilitation necessary for head and neck cancer treatment and the restoration of function.
116 (f) patient education, medical devices, prostheses, obturators, dental implants,
117rehabilitative services necessary to restore, maintain, or improve, the whole or partial function
118related to eating, breathing, voice, speech, quality of life, social functioning and swallowing; and
119to approximate the normal appearance of any abnormal structures that is affected by a head and
120neck cancer diagnosis and/or the treatment of head and neck cancer, or the side effects resulting
121from the treatment.
122 (g) restorative and rehabilitative care including but not limited to: medications,
123restoration procedures, and other medical interventions required to address impairments resulting
124from head and neck cancer or its treatment.
125 SECTION 5. Chapter 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
126section 4KK, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-
127 Section 4LL. A subscription certificate under an individual or group medical service
128agreement delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for:
129 (a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to
130the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary
131dental procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss
132in enrollees. 8 of 10
133 (b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck
134cancer including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton
135therapy, and radiation therapy.
136 (c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phophylaxis’, scaling
137and root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride
138treatments including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the
139risk of infection; or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck
140cancer treatment.
141 (d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer
142including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy,
143and radiation therapy.
144 (e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and
145rehabilitation necessary for head and neck cancer treatment and the restoration of function.
146 (f) patient education, medical devices, prostheses, obturators, dental implants,
147rehabilitative services necessary to restore, maintain, or improve, the whole or partial function
148related to eating, breathing, voice, speech, quality of life, social functioning and swallowing; and
149to approximate the normal appearance of any abnormal structures that is affected by a head and
150neck cancer diagnosis and/or the treatment of head and neck cancer, or the side effects resulting
151from the treatment.
152 (g) restorative and rehabilitative care including but not limited to: medications,
153restoration procedures, and other medical interventions required to address impairments resulting
154from head and neck cancer or its treatment. 9 of 10
155 SECTION 6. Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
156section 4CC, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-
157 Section 4DD. An individual or group health maintenance contract shall provide coverage
158for:
159 (a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to
160the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary
161dental procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss
162in enrollees.
163 (b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck
164cancer including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton
165therapy, and radiation therapy.
166 (c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phophylaxis’, scaling
167and root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride
168treatments including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the
169risk of infection; or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck
170cancer treatment.
171 (d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer
172including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy,
173and radiation therapy.
174 (e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and
175rehabilitation necessary for head and neck cancer treatment and the restoration of function. 10 of 10
176 (f) patient education, medical devices, prostheses, obturators, dental implants,
177rehabilitative services necessary to restore, maintain, or improve, the whole or partial function
178related to eating, breathing, voice, speech, quality of life, social functioning and swallowing; and
179to approximate the normal appearance of any abnormal structures that is affected by a head and
180neck cancer diagnosis and/or the treatment of head and neck cancer, or the side effects resulting
181from the treatment.
182 (g) restorative and rehabilitative care including but not limited to: medications,
183restoration procedures, and other medical interventions required to address impairments resulting
184from head and neck cancer or its treatment.