Mass. to offer dental plans at Health Connector

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts will begin offering stand-alone dental plans for children and adults through the state's Health Connector starting next year.

State health officials say making dental care more readily available will improve the overall health of Massachusetts residents.

Dental coverage is one of several changes coming to the state's health care exchange.

Beginning in 2014, insurers seeking to offer plans through the connector must not only meet state requirements but also federal requirements to receive the connector's seal of approval.

Also next year, residents with incomes below 400 percent of the federal poverty level — about $94,000 for a family of four — will be eligible for federal tax credits if they purchase health insurance through the connector.

On Thursday the state also received $44 million in federal funds to help its efforts to contain health costs.