Mass. adds new Delta Dental plan despite concern

The Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI) has approved a new low-cost preferred provider organization (PPO) plan from Delta Dental of Massachusetts, despite concerns from the state's dental society.

Delta Dental's Total Choice PPO became available on July 14. The division stated that the plan met the state's statutory and regulatory requirements. The plan is designed to make dental insurance more affordable for employers and consumers, according to Delta Dental.

However, the PPO plan will reduce reimbursement rates between 20% and 30% compared with other Delta Dental plans, according to a Boston Globe article. This has led some dentists to express concern that the new plan will require them to add more patients or charge patients more for services.

In response, the Massachusetts Dental Society has petitioned for a hearing on the plan, and the DOI is assembling a three-person review board.