Transition Announcement (October 1, 2025)
Important Announcement: MassHealth’s Dental Third-Party Administrator (TPA) will be transitioning back to DentaQuest in early 2026. BeneCare will continue to provide services as our Dental TPA through the transition period. MassHealth is committed to processing all claims and service authorizations correctly and will be working diligently with BeneCare and providers to resolve any issues over the next few months.
Please continue submitting claims, prior authorization requests, and all other routine operational tasks through BeneCare until further instructions are provided regarding the transition.
This transition will not affect your status as a MassHealth provider or your MassHealth provider contract. MassHealth’s current rates for dental services will also not be affected by the Dental TPA transition.
Thank you for your dedication to providing excellent care to members. We truly appreciate your continued participation and partnership as we work to improve.
We are committed to renewing and strengthening the program to provide the best possible experience for MassHealth members and reliable support for dental providers.
Sign Up for Email Updates
Moving forward, MassHealth will communicate directly with dental providers to issue additional information about the Dental TPA transition. To stay informed, please bookmark this webpage and visit regularly for updates.
In addition, we encourage you to stay informed about the transition by signing up for email updates through this request form.
Frequently Asked Questions (Updated October 1, 2025)
What is a dental TPA?
MassHealth contracts with a dental third-party administrator, or “TPA”, to perform operational tasks for MassHealth, the Children’s Medical Security Plan (CMSP), and the Health Safety Net (HSN).
The dental TPA is responsible for the following.
- Claims processing and remittance advice
- Prior authorization
- Provider web portal
- Customer service for members and providers
- Provider credentialing and recruitment
- Helping members find a participating dentist
What does this transition mean, and when is it happening?
MassHealth will transition from BeneCare back to DentaQuest as the dental TPA in early 2026. The anticipated operational start date will be shared once finalized.
Until the transition is complete and DentaQuest has resumed services as the dental TPA, BeneCare will continue to provide dental TPA services, including claims processing and customer support.
When will my current claims and prior authorization issues be fixed?
MassHealth is committed to processing all claims and service authorizations correctly. We will be working diligently with BeneCare and providers to resolve any issues over the next few months.
For more information on the system-wide reprocessing of claims to correct previous processing errors (i.e., the Adjudication Remediation Plan) and other issue resolutions, please visit the Provider News and Updates page at massdhp.org. This website contains the most recent Provider Update emails and Virtual Office Hours slide decks.
How should MassHealth dental providers submit claims, prior authorization requests, and other routine operational tasks?
Until further notice, dental providers should continue submitting claims, prior authorization requests, and all other routine operational tasks through BeneCare.
For all MassHealth dental needs, please continue reaching out to MassHealth Dental Customer Service, supported by BeneCare, by visiting massdhp.org, calling 844-MH-DENTL or (844-643-3685), or emailing ProviderRequests@massdhp.com.
Where should providers go with questions regarding member benefits, claims, and/or claim payments? Is there a new customer service number?
Until further notice, please continue reaching out to MassHealth Dental Customer Service, supported by BeneCare, by visiting massdhp.org, calling 844-MH-DENTL or (844-643-3685), or emailing ProviderRequests@massdhp.com.
Do I need to do anything now?
No. The current TPA, BeneCare, will continue as the TPA through the transition. Please continue submitting claims, prior authorization requests, and all other routine operational tasks through BeneCare, until further instructions are provided.
As a participating MassHealth provider, will I need to contract with DentaQuest? Does this impact my status?
No. You are already contracted with MassHealth, and your status as a MassHealth provider is not impacted by the dental TPA transition.
As a current participating provider in the MassHealth Dental Program, your credentialing effective date and/or current re-credentialing date will not be effected by the TPA transition.
BeneCare will continue to enroll and re-credential MassHealth dental providers through the transition.
For questions regarding new enrollment, credentialing, or re-credentialing, please reach out to the MassHealth Dental Provider Relations team, supported by BeneCare, by calling 844-MASSDHP or (844) 627-7347, or emailing ProviderRelations@massdhp.com.
Is the fee schedule changing?
No, the MassHealth fee schedule remains the same. MassHealth determines the policies, procedures, clinical guidelines, and fees. The dental TPA does not set the fee schedule.
How are practices going to receive payment?
Payment methods will remain the same. If payments were received through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or check, they will continue in that format. Payment comes directly from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The dental TPA does not pay claims.
Will I need to re-enroll in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)?
If your EFT enrollment information is current and up to date, you will not need to re-enroll in EFT. If you need to update any of your information, please contact the MassHealth Dental Provider Relations team, supported by BeneCare, by calling 844-MASSDHP or (844) 627-7347, or emailing ProviderRelations@massdhp.com.
Does the dental TPA determine the MassHealth Dental Program’s policies, procedures, or clinical guidelines? Will this effect rates?
No. The MassHealth Dental Program’s policies, procedures, and clinical guidelines are determined by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).
In addition, MassHealth’s current rates and coverage for dental services will not be impacted by the dental TPA transition.
Will caseload management still be allowed?
Yes, as described in MassHealth regulations at 130 CMR 420.406, the ability to determine how many MassHealth members can be served by your practice will continue. This flexibility allows practices of all sizes to help serve the underserved populations of the Commonwealth.
When can I start using the DentaQuest provider portal again?
Providers should continue to use the BeneCare website and provider portal available at massdhp.org until further notice.
MassHealth will return to the previous MassHealth Dental Program website and provider portal that was previously supported by DentaQuest once the transition is complete.
Although providers will continue to have read-only access to the DentaQuest provider portal, that portal will not support active tasks—such as claim and prior authorization submissions, member eligibility verification, or support requests—until the implementation date.
How can I stay informed about this transition?
Sign up for future timely emails about the transition by completing this request form.
| Date published: | October 1, 2025 |
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