An Act requiring coverage of medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors

 

H.4553 is a Massachusetts House bill that would require health insurance plans to cover medically necessary oral and dental care related to head and neck cancer treatment and survivorship.

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Why this bill is needed

For people with head and neck cancer, dental care is often required:
 

• Before treatment (to safely begin radiation or chemotherapy)

• During treatment (to prevent serious infections)

• After treatment (often for life)

Radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery can permanently damage:
 

• Teeth and gums

• Jawbone and oral tissues

• Salivary glands (causing severe dry mouth and rapid decay)
   

Yet today, survivors are frequently told “That’s dental — it’s not covered.”
 

What H.4553 would change
 

• Require insurance coverage for medically necessary oral and dental care from head and neck cancer treatment

• Close the gap between medical care and dental care when the need is caused by cancer

• Help survivors maintain the ability to eat, speak, avoid infection, and stay healthy

 

Who this affects
 

• Head and neck cancer patients and survivors

• Many are diagnosed at working age and face long-term survivorship needs

• Over 1,300 Massachusetts residents are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year

 

Why legislators should support it
 

• Dental complications from cancer treatment are not optional or cosmetic

• Preventive and ongoing care is more cost-effective than treating advanced complications

• Oral health is essential to nutrition, speech, infection prevention, and overall health

 

Current status

 

• House Bill H.4553 (previously filed as H.1258)

• Currently before the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
   

We ask legislators to:
 

• Support H.4553

• Help advance it through committee

• Recognize that dental care caused by cancer treatment is medical care