Articles
Denville Dental Office Saves Time with
Benefits Connection
Many PTEs Processed Immediately When Submitted
Online
Delta Dental Plan of California Covers Northrop
Grumman Employees
Participating NJ and CT Dentists Can Save 75%
on Electronic Attachments Registration
Dental Network Coordinators Receive DDPA Honors
AADC Honors Dr. Navarro
Delta Dental Days Scheduled
Dental Seminar Set for October
Results of Delta Dental Classic Available Next Issue
Delta Dental's 2002 Claims and Customer Service Performance
Thanks to All Who Contributed to Breast Cancer Walk
Smoking Cessation Help Available
Caucus New Jersey Videotape on Oral Health Available
Denville Dental Office Saves
Time with Benefits Connection
Dental News recently spoke to Lori Grana, office
manager for Dr. Lee Ecker in Denville, New Jersey,
about why that practice uses Delta Dental's online
Benefits Connection to verify patient benefits and
eligibility.
"We started using Benefits Connection about a year
ago," says Grana. "It was the first dental-related
Web site I used, and I liked it a lot. Even if it's
7 a.m. and I need to know when the patient's last
full series of x-rays was, I can have the answer
in a minute."
Grana says even though she uses a dial-up Internet
connection, which is slower than high-speed connections
such as DSL or cable, Benefits Connection still saves
her time. "Even with the slower dial-up, it's a fraction
of the time you're on the phone," she says. She likes
to verify benefits before the first patient arrives
in the morning, or else the night before. "At those
times, I wouldn't get anybody at Customer Service,
but I can get what I need online."
It takes just a few minutes to verify the eligibility
of each patient online and print the report for the
patients' charts. "I have the complete information
when the patient comes in, including the dates that
different procedures were done. The patient doesn't
have to remember what was done and when, because
it's right there. It makes you, the person in the
office, that much more thorough. It's a win-win.
It really helps a lot."
She likes Benefits Connection so much that if Dr.
Ecker said he wanted to get rid of the office's online
connection, "I would tell him to take the money out
of my paycheck so I don't have to be on the phone
anymore. I think Benefits Connection is perfect.
It gives me everything I need."
Benefits Connection provides online access to information
about your patients' Delta Dental benefits and eligibility.
It's the same information that Delta Dental's Customer
Service agents use, so it's up to date. You can also
use Benefits Connection to submit claims and check
on the status of claims.
To register for Benefits Connection, go to www.deltadentalnj.com,
click "Dentists" and then "Register Now" in the Benefits
Connection Logon box. Just follow the directions
on the screen.
Many PTEs Processed Immediately
When Submitted Online
Did you know that you can use Delta Dental's online
claims submissions feature to obtain a pre-treatment
estimate (PTE)? Many PTEs are processed on the spot.
This means that your office can communicate immediately
to the patient what benefits Delta Dental will provide.
This enables your patients to make informed decisions
about their treatment plan while they are still in
your dental office.
Among the PTEs that receive immediate processing
online:
- Partials and dentures
- Root canals
- Build ups and post and cores
- Some crowns (with root canals in history)
- Typical restorations (excluding veneers and onlays)
- Implants
- Most simple and surgical extractions (excluding
bony or partial bony with anesthesia)
To obtain a PTE or submit an online claim, visit
our Web site at www.deltadentalnj.com and click "Dentists." Then
log onto Benefits Connection, click "Claim Submission," and
follow the instructions on the screen. (If you haven't
registered for Benefits Connection, click "Register
Now" and follow the directions on the screen.)
Delta Dental Plan of California
Covers Northrop Grumman Employees
Do you have patients who work for Northrop Grumman?
Northrop Grumman recently selected Delta Dental Plan
of California to provide dental benefits coverage
for its 60,000 employees nationwide, including nearly
300 in New Jersey.
Northrop Grumman enrollees will choose one of three
DeltaPreferred Option (DPO) dental plans. Two of
the DPO plans offer standard coverage (one with and
one without orthodontics), and one plan offers benefits
for preventive services only. (There is a fourth "safety
net" plan for enrollees who are more than 30 miles
from a DPO dentist.) The two standard plans have
enhanced benefits, including a lower deductible and
a higher maximum, when treatment is provided by a
DPO dentist.
For information about eligibility and the new benefits
for your Northrop Grumman patients, please use the "Online
Services" on Delta Dental Plan of California's Web
site (www.deltadentalca.org) or call its Customer
and Member Service Department at (888) 335-8227.
Participating NJ and CT Dentists
Can Save 75% on Electronic Attachments Registration
Electronic transmission of dental claims has proven
to be an effective way to speed claims processing.
Delta Dental also accepts attachments and other supporting
materials along with your electronic and online claims.
National Electronic Attachment, Inc. (NEA) has
informed us that it is offering participating Delta
Dental dentists in New Jersey and Connecticut $150
off the normal $200 fee to register for FastAttach(tm)
for a limited time.
Delta Dental can view radiographs, periodontal
charts, intraoral photographs, narratives and Explanation
of Benefits (EOBs) electronically transmitted through
FastAttach. According to NEA, FastAttach is used
by more than 100 dental benefits payers nationwide,
and can save time and money for dentists.
NEA is an electronic repository, which allows dentists
to transmit attachments via the Internet to NEA to
then be viewed by dental benefits payers. FastAttach
allows dental offices to scan an attachment into
their computer, or capture an image already on their
computer, then transmit the attachment electronically.
Electronic attachments save dental offices time and
money that is usually spent on mailing these attachments
to payers.
Utilizing FastAttach will allow your dental practice
to enjoy faster claim and pre-determination processing,
eliminate lost attachments, reduce administrative
and supply costs, and eliminate sending attachments
that are not required.
NEA has indicated that participating dentists in
New Jersey and Connecticut are eligible to save $150
off the usual $200 FastAttach registration (a 75%
discount) until September 30, 2003. This means that
you will receive the software, installation and training
for only $50. NEA's service fee is $20 per month
for unlimited transmissions of attachments and telephone
support. There is no charge for updates of FastAttach.
For more information about FastAttach, call NEA
at (800) 782-5150, ext. 2. When talking to a NEA
representative, please indicate that you received
this newsletter. A special registration form will
be faxed or mailed to you. Don't hesitate to take
advantage of this great opportunity to get started
sending electronic attachments!
When you contact this vendor, please identify yourself
as a Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey participating
dentist. They will lead you through the enrollment
process. Please note that this vendor will deal directly
with you. Delta Dental does not guarantee the performance
or continued participation of this vendor. This program
has been designed to provide savings opportunities
to our participating dentists. Delta Dental Plan
of New Jersey does not receive any compensation from
any vendor under this program.
Dental Network Coordinators Receive
DDPA Honors
Beth DeCapio and Charlene Yurko, Dental Network
Coordinators with Delta Dental, were honored recently
for outstanding achievement in network recruitment.
They received the award at the Delta Dental Plans
Association (DDPA) Professional Relations Recruitment
Seminar in New Orleans.
Each year the DeltaUSA board of directors recognizes
outstanding professional relations representatives
and directors for their achievements in developing
and maintaining dentist networks and enhancing Delta
Dental's position as a leader in the marketplace.
Beth DeCapio joined Delta Dental in 1996, and became
a Dental Network Coordinator in 2001. Charlene Yurko
joined Delta Dental in 1998 as a Dental Network Coordinator.
AADC Honors Dr. Navarro
Dr. Scott Navarro, Vice President of Professional
Services and Dental Director for Delta Dental, recently
received the Dr. Israel (Sonnie) Shulman Award for
Meritorious Service from the American Association
of Dental Consultants (AADC).
The AADC is comprised almost entirely of dentists
who serve as consultants to dental insurance carriers.
The primary purpose of the organization is to educate
and inform its nearly 400 national and international
members. The award, which has only been granted three
times in the past, recognizes AADC members for outstanding
contributions to the organization, and for exhibiting
behavior of being a mentor and guiding light. Recipients
are nominated, with the AADC board of directors making
the final decision.
"Dr. Navarro, as past president of AADC, as chair
and developer of the Certification Program, for his
insight and authorship of position papers, and for
being the dental consultant's consultant, certainly
qualifies for this award," says AADC President Dr.
Ed Schooley, dental director of Delta Dental Plan
of Iowa.
"Dr. Navarro is one of a kind," Dr. Schooley adds. "Having
worked with him on a number of projects and teams,
he seems to have inexhaustible energy and commitment
to doing a best-in-class job in anything he touches.
Dr. Navarro has often independently championed efforts
within AADC and is responsible for where it is today.
He has left his mark! I am pleased that he has been
recognized in this manner."
Dr. Navarro recently celebrated his sixth anniversary
at Delta Dental. His primary responsibilities include
dentist network development and contracting, professional
claims review, dental policy, and professional relations.
He also serves as a member of the Delta Dental Plans
Association Dental Policy Committee.
Delta Dental Days Scheduled
Delta Dental Days are a series of free educational
seminars offered by Delta Dental on Wednesday mornings
to participating dentists and their office staff.
The next Delta Dental Day programs are:
October 1, 2003
Renaissance Hotels
801 Rutherford Avenue
Rutherford, NJ
October 8, 2003
Renault Winery & Tuscany House
72 North Bremen Avenue
Egg Harbor City, NJ
October 15, 2003
Westin Morristown
Two Whippany Road
Morristown, NJ
The half-day morning seminar covers:
- The different types of programs Delta Dental
offers
- Electronic claims-how to get started and helpful
tips
- Delta Dental's compliance efforts with HIPAA
- Delta Dental's use of processing policies in
claims processing
- Preventing fraud and abuse
- How to use Benefits Connection to verify patient
eligibility and benefits on the Internet to save
your practice time, improve patient relations,
and improve your cash flow when using it to submit
claims.
Participants will receive four continuing education
credits for attending. Registration information will
be sent out shortly.
Dental Seminar Set for October
Delta Dental's next seminar for dentists features
David R. Federick, DMD, MScD, FACD, FICD, who will
present "Foundation and Aesthetic Restorations for
Decimated Teeth." This seminar, scheduled for October
22, 2003, will be held at Doral Forrestal in Princeton,
New Jersey.
All participating dentists will receive invitations
to this seminar with details, or check our Web site
at www.deltadentalnj.com; click "Dentists" and "Schedule
of Events."
Results of Delta Dental Classic
Available Next Issue
As this issue went to press, proceeds were being
calculated for the Thirteenth Annual Delta Dental
Classic, which was rescheduled to July 23. The Golf
Classic raises funds for Special Olympics New Jersey
(SONJ), a non-profit organization that provides athletic
training and competition for children and adults
with mental retardation. Results of the event will
be published in the next issue of Dental News.
Anyone who is interested in contributing to the
Delta Dental Classic should contact Jennifer Appaluccio
at jappaluccio@deltadentalnj.com. Donations are being
accepted even after the July 23 event.
Delta Dental's 2002 Claims and
Customer Service Performance
Delta Dental's high service levels continued to
improve in 2002. Here's a glimpse at some of our
2002 performance statistics:
- We processed significantly more claims while
maintaining our speed of payment. Delta Dental
processed nearly 2.8 million claims in 2002, an
11.8% increase over 2001. Our claim cycle time
averages 8.91 business days. If you submitted electronic
claims, which accounted for 41% of all claims last
year, the cycle time was even faster: 6.95 business
days.
- We answered more calls faster. Customer Service
received nearly 924,000 calls, with nearly 660,000
of them handled by Customer Service agents. (The
remaining calls were handled by our automated voice
response system.) Our Customer Service agents handle
an average of more than 86 calls a day.
- Our quality control remains consistently high.
Delta Dental measures performance in several key
areas, including clerical accuracy, payment accuracy
and dollar accuracy. In each area, we achieved
98.8% accuracy or higher. Our accuracy rate has
been 98% or higher on all measures since 1995.
- Our dental network continues to grow. In New
Jersey, at year-end 2002, we had 5,987 access points
(total dentists/dental offices) participating in
DeltaPremier, 3,565 access points participating
in Delta's Advantage Program, 2,872 in the DeltaPreferred
Option, and 1,315 access points participating in
DeltaCare. In Connecticut, we had 2,310 access
points participating in DeltaPremier, and 982 access
points participating in DeltaPreferred Option.
Thanks to All Who Contributed
to Breast Cancer Walk
The Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA) walk against
breast cancer, held June 21 in Santa Ana Pueblo,
NM, raised $75,000 to date (monies are still coming
in) to help fight the disease.
Walkers from Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc.
(DDPNJ) collected more than $18,000 from sponsors,
which was the highest of all the Delta Dental Plans
participating. All proceeds from the event were donated
to the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, a grassroots
advocacy group interested in raising funds for research
and improving access to care, including breast cancer
clinical trials.
Many families and friends of the Delta Dental system
have suffered with breast cancer, and the event's
organizers said they had been looking for something
the organization could do to help fight the disease
that has touched so many. This was the first time
Delta Dental participated in this particular charitable
event, which coincided with the DDPA's annual meeting.
Gay VanBrunt, whose husband, Walt, is president of
DDPNJ, chaired the event.
For more information about the National Breast Cancer
Coalition Fund, visit its Web site at http://www.natlbcc.org.
Smoking Cessation Help Available
Experts warn that smoking can be hazardous to our
health. If you need information to counsel your patients
on smoking cessation, please contact NJ Quitline
at (866) 657-8677, or visit the New Jersey Dental
Association Web site at www.njda.org and click the "Save
Your Smile" icon on the bottom left of the screen.
Caucus New Jersey Videotape
on Oral Health Available
Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation recently
sponsored a two-part program called "Oral Health:
The Quiet Crisis" presented on Caucus New Jersey
with Steve Adubato. The program included a discussion
of the link between oral health and one's overall
health, as well as the issue of access to dental
care.
If you would like to receive a videotape of the
program, please e-mail your request to smile@deltadentalnj.com.
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