Insurance Commons^™

New Dentists’ Most-Asked Legal Questions, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This feature addresses new dentists' most frequently asked legal questions, offering concise answers to guide them. Topics include licensing requirements, dental record maintenance, accommodations for hearing-impaired and non-English proficient patients, the enforceability of covenants not to compete, the necessity of written employment agreements, responding to bad dental work, reporting suspected abuse, prescribing drugs to friends and family, contract terms with dental plans, and handling suspected employee theft. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding legal aspects to navigate a dental career successfully.

Staff Matters: How Can We Be More Creative With Our Benefits?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

As open enrollment for health benefits approaches, this column discusses creative and cost-effective benefit offerings to attract and retain employees. The focus is on innovative benefits beyond traditional health, life insurance, and retirement plans. Suggestions include pet insurance, paid volunteer time, lunch and learn sessions, and flexible scheduling to accommodate employees' needs, particularly working parents and those with caregiving responsibilities. The importance of seeking employee input in benefit planning is emphasized for discovering practical, employee-desired options.

Dentistry And The Law: Can Dental Plan Ratings Be Defamatory?, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article discusses the legal implications of dental plan ratings for dentists. If a dental plan assigns a rating to dentists and publishes it to patients without providing specific information about the rating's basis or an opportunity for dentists to contest it, legal recourse may be limited. Currently, no statutory law regulates such ratings, leaving dentists potentially vulnerable to defamatory ratings. Under Michigan law, dentists could sue for defamation, but proving the rating's falseness and the resulting loss of patients may be challenging. Federal regulation is suggested to ensure fairness, transparency, and protection for dentists subjected to involuntary ratings.

Negotiating Reimbursement Rates With A Ppo Plan, Dana Moss

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Dentists often struggle to negotiate reimbursement rates with dental insurance companies. This article discusses the importance of managing reimbursement from benefit plans and highlights the advantages and disadvantages of participating in insurance networks. It provides a step-by-step guide to negotiating insurance allowances effectively, emphasizing the need for preparation, data analysis, and communication skills. The article suggests ways to maintain profitability in practices with a significant PPO patient base. It includes recommendations for keeping fees balanced, choosing negotiation plans, and building relationships with insurance representatives. The emotional aspects of negotiation are also addressed, promoting a respectful and collaborative approach.

News You Need: Reminder: What You Must Know About Antitrust Law, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This reminder emphasizes the critical importance for dentists, particularly members of organizations like the Michigan Dental Association, to understand antitrust laws and their implications. The U.S. Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission actively pursue antitrust violations among physicians and dentists. The article outlines key aspects of the Sherman Antitrust Act, emphasizing that joint activities among independent dentists that restrain competition may lead to violations. The concept of joint action and the restraint on competition are explored, with a focus on potential pitfalls, such as price-fixing and group boycotts. Dentists are urged to stay informed to avoid legal consequences.

Dentistry And The Law: Can I Be Reported To The Data Bank In Connection With A Billing Dispute?, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Dentistry and the Law column addresses a dentist's concern about being reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) during a billing dispute. The dentist questions the validity of such a report, considering no issues with treatment quality are raised. The response emphasizes that adverse actions based solely on billing practices may not be reportable to the NPDB. Additionally, it clarifies that a dental plan administrator may not be eligible to make a Data Bank report, offering guidance on informing the plan about rights and potential contestation.

Advocacy Spotlight: Ada Lobbyist Conference Highlights Critical Advocacy Issues, Neema Katibai Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The ADA Lobbyist Conference highlighted crucial issues in dentistry, including Medicare reform, teledentistry, workforce concerns, and insurance challenges. State dental associations collaborated on building advocacy partnerships and shared successful grassroots engagement strategies. Medicare reform discussions focused on the ADA's opposition to Plan B inclusion and the impact of constituent outreach. State associations addressed Medicaid reform, emphasizing personal stories to convey the need for change. Teledentistry legislation and insurance company relationships were also key topics. The insights gained will shape the MDA's advocacy strategy for 2022.

J Mich Dent Assoc October 2021

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story, “Welcoming Colleagues from Different Practice Models”.
• A feature article from the Journal’s DEI series, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Perspectives from an LGBTQ Dentist”.
• A feature article, “Congratulations, 2021 MDA Life Members!”.
• News you need, Editorial and regular department articles on MDA Foundation activities, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters, and component news. …

J Mich Dent Assoc September 2021

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story with “Reports from the Dental School Deans”, Dr. Mert Aksu and Dr. Laurie McCauley.
• A feature article from the Journal’s DEI series, “Building a Culturally Competent Practice”.
• A feature article, “Disability Insurance: 10 Things You Need to Know”.
• News you need, Editorial and regular department articles on MDA Foundation activities, Dentistry and …

J Mich Dent Assoc December 2020

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story on “The Dentist’s Role in Recognizing Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders: A Two-Part Series”.
• The “2020 Author/Title Index to the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association”.
• News you need, Editorial and regular department articles on MDA Foundation activities, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters, and component news.

This issue also includes three articles reprinted …

J Mich Dent Assoc November 2020

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• Feature articles on how “Routine Blood Lead Testing During Pregnancy Empowers Future Dental Caries and Neurotoxicity Research”, how to “Recoup Your Dues and More with MDA-Endorsed Programs”, and your “2021 MDA Membership Benefits Guide”.
• News you need, Editorial and regular department articles on MDA Foundation activities, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters, 10-Minute EBD, Headquarters …

J Mich Dent Assoc February 2020

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month,The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story on the 2020 MDA Annual Session
• A feature covering student perspectives on the Opioid Crisis
• News you need, Editorial and regular department articles on MDA Foundation activities, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters, Headquarters Report, and component news

This issue also includes articles reprinted with permission:

• “Muscle Deprogramming: A Source of Confusion”, …

Dirigo Health: Its Opportunities And Obstacles, Godfrey Wood

Maine Policy Review

No abstract provided.

Dirigo Health: A Small Business Perspective, Deborah Cook

Maine Policy Review

In her commentary Deborah Cook, executive director of the Maine Small Business Alliance, discusses Dirigo Health from the viewpoint of small businesses, whose employees and families, along with the self-employed, represent the largest proportion of uninsured in Maine’s population. She notes that rising costs of health care and insurance are a major threat to the viability of small businesses.

The Challenge Of Preserving And Expanding Affordable Health Care In Maine, Wendy Wolf

Maine Policy Review

Maine’s health care system is in crisis. The state’s health care expenditures represent the third highest percentage of Gross Domestic Product in the nation; state health care spending is projected to top $11 billion per year, or $8,291 per person per year, over the next seven years; businesses in Maine pay 12-23% more for coverage than the national and New England state averages; and, the state’s uninsured and vulnerable populations continue to grow. In this article, Wendy Wolf charts the rising cost of health care in Maine and the implications of these costs for all Mainers. In turn, she looks …

Dirigo Health, Sharon Anglin Treat, Michael Brennan, Ann Woloson

Maine Policy Review

Maine’s pioneering Dirigo Health program aims at reducing health care costs, improving quality, and increasing access by providing health insurance coverage to all of Maine’s currently uninsured population. State senators Sharon Treat and Michael Brennan and co-author Ann Woloson provide an overview of the components, structure and financing of the program. They discuss some of the challenges and opportunities posed in Dirigo Health’s implementation, and give an insider’s perspective on the process by which the program was enacted.