Several dental organizations have worked to gather support for a November ballot initiative in Massachusetts that could establish a medical loss ratio for dental insurers.
If passed, dental insurance companies would be required to spend at least 83 percent of premium dollars on dental services or refund the difference to patients, preventing them from spending that money on executive salaries or administrative costs. The medical loss ratio is already in place for medical insurers in the state.
Three dental groups supporting the initiative:
1. The American Association of Endodontists announced their support of the measure in September. Stefan Zweig, DDS, AAE president, said in a Sept. 28 news release, "Efforts such as the Massachusetts ballot initiative and MLR reform will help ensure patient dollars go to patient care. This can serve as an impetus to improve dental access to care and health equity in the state of Massachusetts."
2. The American Dental Association committed $5 million to a campaign and began working alongside the Massachusetts Dental Society on support for the measure. An ADA email also asked members to consider donating to the campaign. The ADA and MDS first announced their support of the measure in August.