Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey’s (D) administration has ordered six dental insurers to refund a total of $8.4 million to consumers after they did not comply with the state’s dental loss ratio (DLR) requirements. Massachusetts is the first state to implement and enforce rebate rules for dental insurance based on a minimum DLR. This requirement is a result of a 2022 voter-approved ballot measure backed by AAOMS and organized dentistry.
Under Massachusetts law, commercial dental insurers must allocate at least 83 percent of adjusted premium revenue to patient care and quality improvement activities. Insurers that do not meet this threshold during the relevant period are required to return a portion of premiums to policyholders.
Starting in August, affected consumers will receive rebates via checks or credits toward future premiums from insurers, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Guardian Life Insurance Company, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Insurance Company, Reliance Standard Insurance Company, Standard Insurance Company and Starmount Life Insurance Company.
