BILL H.1258
Massachusetts 194th Session Legislation
House Bill 1258
An Act Requiring Coverage of Medically Necessary Oral
and Dental Care for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors
Petitioned by:
Representative Paul McMurtry (D) - 11th Norfolk
Bill Presenters:
Paul McMurtry, Michael Rush
Status as of March 17, 2025: Referred to Joint Committee on Financial Services
Co-Sponsors:
David F. DeCoste - 5th Plymouth
John F. Keenan - Norfolk and Plymouth
Jacob R. Oliviera - Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester
Joanne M. Comerford - Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester
Patrick Joseph Kearney - 4th Plymouth
Patrick M. O'Connor - First Plymouth and Norfolk
John Rogers - 12th Norfolk
Michelle Badger - 1st Plymouth
Greg Schwartz - 12th Middlesex
Michelle DuBois - 10th Plymouth
Kathleen LaNatra - 12th Plymouth
Full Text of Bill H.1258
SECTION 1. Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section
17O, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-
Section 17P. Any coverage offered by the commission to an active or retired employee of the
commonwealth insured under the group insurance commission shall provide coverage for:
(a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to the hard
and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary dental
procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss in
enrollees.
(b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck cancer
including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy,
and radiation therapy.
(c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phophylaxis’, scaling and
root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride treatments
including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the risk of
infection; or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck cancer
treatment.
(d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer including, but
not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy, and radiation
therapy
(e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and rehabilitation
necessary for head and neck cancer treatment and the restoration of function.
(f) patient education, medical devices, prostheses, obturators, dental implants, rehabilitative
services necessary to restore, maintain, or improve, the whole or partial function related to
eating, breathing, voice, speech, quality of life, social functioning and swallowing; and to
approximate the normal appearance of any abnormal structures that is affected by a head and
neck cancer diagnosis and/or the treatment of head and neck cancer, or the side effects resulting
from the treatment.
(g) restorative and rehabilitative care including but not limited to: medications, restoration
procedures, and other medical interventions required to address impairments resulting from head
and neck cancer or its treatment.
SECTION 2. Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section
10J, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-
Section 10K. The division shall provide coverage for:
(a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to the hard
and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary dental
procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss in
enrollees.
(b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck cancer
including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy,
and radiation therapy.
(c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phophylaxis’, scaling and
root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride treatments
including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the risk of
infection; or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck cancer
treatment.
(d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer including, but
not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy, and radiation
therapy.
(e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and rehabilitation
necessary for head and neck cancer treatment and the restoration of function.
(f) patient education, medical devices, prostheses, obturators, dental implants, rehabilitative
services necessary to restore, maintain, or improve, the whole or partial function related to
eating, breathing, voice, speech, quality of life, social functioning and swallowing; and to
approximate the normal appearance of any abnormal structures that is affected by a head and
neck cancer diagnosis and/or the treatment of head and neck cancer, or the side effects resulting
from the treatment.
(g) restorative and rehabilitative care including but not limited to: medications, restoration
procedures, and other medical interventions required to address impairments resulting from head
and neck cancer or its treatment.
SECTION 3. Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section
47II, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-
Section 47JJ. A policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance issued, delivered or
renewed within the commonwealth that provides medical expense coverage shall provide
coverage for:
(a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to the
hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary dental
procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss in
enrollees.
(b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck cancer
including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy,
and radiation therapy.
(c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phrophylaxis’, scaling and
root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride treatments
including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the risk of
infection; or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck cancer
treatment.
(d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer including, but
not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy, and radiation
therapy.
(e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and rehabilitation
necessary for head and neck cancer treatment and the restoration of function.
(f) patient education, medical devices, prostheses, obturators, dental implants, rehabilitative
services necessary to restore, maintain, or improve, the whole or partial function related to
eating, breathing, voice, speech, quality of life, social functioning and swallowing; and to
approximate the normal appearance of any abnormal structures that is affected by a head and
neck cancer diagnosis and/or the treatment of head and neck cancer, or the side effects resulting
from the treatment.
(g) restorative and rehabilitative care including but not limited to: medications, restoration
procedures, and other medical interventions required to address impairments resulting from head
and neck cancer or its treatment.
SECTION 4. Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section
8KK, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-
Section 8LL. A contract between a subscriber and the corporation under an individual or group
hospital service plan that is delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide
coverage for:
(a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to the hard
and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary dental
procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss in
enrollees.
(b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck cancer
including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy,
and radiation therapy.
(c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phrophylaxis’, scaling and
root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride treatments
including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the risk of
infection; or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck cancer
treatment.
(d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer including, but
not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy, and radiation
therapy.
(e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and rehabilitation
necessary for head and neck cancer treatment and the restoration of function.
(f) patient education, medical devices, prostheses, obturators, dental implants, rehabilitative
services necessary to restore, maintain, or improve, the whole or partial function related to
eating, breathing, voice, speech, quality of life, social functioning and swallowing; and to
approximate the normal appearance of any abnormal structures that is affected by a head and
neck cancer diagnosis and/or the treatment of head and neck cancer, or the side effects resulting
from the treatment.
(g) restorative and rehabilitative care including but not limited to: medications, restoration
procedures, and other medical interventions required to address impairments resulting from head
and neck cancer or its treatment.
SECTION 5. Chapter 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section
4KK, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-
Section 4LL. A subscription certificate under an individual or group medical service agreement
delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for:
(a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to the hard
and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary dental
procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss in
enrollees.
(b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck cancer
including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy,
and radiation therapy.
(c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phophylaxis’, scaling and
root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride treatments
including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection;
or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck cancer treatment.
(d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer including, but
not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy, and radiation
therapy.
(e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and rehabilitation
necessary for head and neck cancer treatment and the restoration of function.
(f) patient education, medical devices, prostheses, obturators, dental implants, rehabilitative
services necessary to restore, maintain, or improve, the whole or partial function related to
eating, breathing, voice, speech, quality of life, social functioning and swallowing; and to
approximate the normal appearance of any abnormal structures that is affected by a head and
neck cancer diagnosis and/or the treatment of head and neck cancer, or the side effects resulting
from the treatment.
(g) restorative and rehabilitative care including but not limited to: medications, restoration
procedures, and other medical interventions required to address impairments resulting from head
and neck cancer or its treatment.
SECTION 6. Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section
4CC, as inserted by chapter 233 of the acts 2016, the following section:-
Section 4DD. An individual or group health maintenance contract shall provide coverage for:
(a) necessary pre-cancer dental care, including preventative and restorative treatment to the hard
and soft tissues of the oral cavity, fluoride treatments and trays, and medically necessary dental
procedures, to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection or to treat tooth decay or tooth loss in
enrollees.
(b) dental care that is required prior to the commencement of treatment for head and neck cancer
including, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy,
and radiation therapy.
(c) post cancer necessary dental care, including preventative dental phophylaxis’, scaling and
root planing, quarterly cleanings, bi-annual assessments by a periodontist, fluoride treatments
including trays, and medically necessary dental procedures to reduce or eliminate the risk of
infection; or to treat tooth loss or decay directly or indirectly caused by head and neck cancer
treatment.
(d) dental procedures required as a result of treatments for head and neck cancer including, but
not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, proton therapy, and radiation
therapy.
(e) laboratory assessments, medications, treatments, evaluations, examinations, and rehabilitation
necessary for head and neck cancer treatment and the restoration of function.
(f) patient education, medical devices, prostheses, obturators, dental implants, rehabilitative
services necessary to restore, maintain, or improve, the whole or partial function related to
eating, breathing, voice, speech, quality of life, social functioning and swallowing; and to
approximate the normal appearance of any abnormal structures that is affected by a head and
neck cancer diagnosis and/or the treatment of head and neck cancer, or the side effects resulting
from the treatment.
(g) restorative and rehabilitative care including but not limited to: medications, restoration
procedures, and other medical interventions required to address impairments resulting from head
and neck cancer or its treatment.