Advocacy Alert: Supporting Question 2 Ballot in Massachusetts

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Board approved a contribution of $50,000 from our AGD Advocacy Fund to support a statewide ballot initiative in Massachusetts — Question 2 — that would require dental insurance companies to spend at least 83% of premium dollars collected on dental services or refund the difference to patients.

Question 2 establishes a medical loss ratio for Massachusetts dental plans by requiring that at least 83% of premiums be spent on patient care. A medical loss ratio is the portion of premium revenue that a healthcare insurance company spends on claims, patient care, and healthcare quality for its customers. Currently, Massachusetts has an 88% medical loss ratio for medical insurance plans, but there is no similar standard for dental insurance plans.

This issue is about accountability. We know that the insurance companies are threatened by this initiative, and they will do whatever it takes to protect the status quo including spending tens of millions of dollars. That is why our Board felt it was imperative that we support this ballot initiative. We are pleased to join organizations like the American Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Society, Massachusetts AGD, and other state and national dental groups to ensure that patient care dollars are protected.

The campaign is ongoing, and you are welcome to make a personal donation online. Dental insurance companies must be held accountable, and we have an opportunity to defend our profession and ensure that our patients’ premiums are used to provide them with oral health care.

I urge you to take notice of this important initiative, and look forward to sharing with you more details in our efforts to support our patients and practices.

Thank you for your support.

Gerald Botko, DMD, MS. MAGD

President

Academy of General Dentistry