Benefits & eligibility verification for dentistry checklist

Benefits & eligibility verification for dentistry checklist

Navigating the world of insurance coverage and benefits can be overwhelming, especially in dentistry. That’s where eligibility and benefits verification comes in. By checking a patient’s insurance coverage and benefits before their appointment, dental providers can ensure that their patients receive the best care possible without any unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. This article will explore a helpful checklist for dental practices to follow when verifying patient eligibility.

Dental insurance verification checklist for dental teams

Find the effective date of their benefits

  • The effective date of benefits is the date on which a patient’s dental insurance coverage becomes active. This information is essential to verify because it determines when a patient can begin using their dental benefits. Including the effective date of benefits in the eligibility verification checklist for dentistry is essential for several reasons.
  • This can help prevent delays in care and ensure patients receive the dental services they need on time.

Insurance Information

Insurance companies have different policies regarding dental coverage, and knowing which insurance company the patient is enrolled in will help the provider determine the specific benefits available to the patient. This information is also vital for billing purposes.

How to Obtain Insurance Company Information

Obtaining insurance company information is relatively simple.

  • Providers can ask the patient for their insurance card during the eligibility verification process. Insurance cards typically include the insurance company’s name, the policy number, and the patient’s identification number.
  • Providers can verify insurance information by calling the insurance company directly or using an online portal.

End date for the policy

The end date for the policy is the date until which the policy is active. Including the end date for the policy in the eligibility verification checklist is crucial for several reasons.

  1. Firstly, it helps dental practices to ensure that the patient’s insurance coverage is active and not expired.
  2. Secondly, including the end date for the policy helps dental practices avoid any delays or denials in claims processing.
  3. Thirdly, including the end date for the policy helps dental practices plan the treatment timeline effectively. Dental treatments require multiple visits, and dental practices must ensure the treatment is completed within the patient’s policy period.

Check their plan maximum

  • Plan maximum refers to the maximum amount of money a dental insurance plan will pay for dental services in a year.
  • Patients need to know their plan maximums to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.
  • According to a survey by the American Dental Association, 42% of adults in the United States have not visited a dentist in the past year due to cost concerns. This highlights the importance of knowing plan maximums to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.

Coverage details, Coverage Policy

Coverage details

  • When it comes to receiving dental treatment, understanding your insurance coverage is critical in ensuring that you receive the care you need while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Knowing your coverage details and policy can also help you plan for dental procedures requiring prior authorization or having specific limits.
  • Additionally, understanding your dental insurance coverage can help you identify any limitations or exclusions in your policy.

Which type of dental benefit plan is most common today?

Dental coverage plans are of several types. You can determine which one is beneficial for you according to your situation.

Dental Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans

  • Most common today
  • According to this plan, dentists will provide a discount to patients.

Dental Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans

  • Dental HMO plans are a type of dental insurance plan that offers patients access to a network of dental providers at a fixed cost.
  • Every month, the dentists will get a fixed amount of money; hence patients can get services at little or no cost.

Dental Indemnity Plans

  • These plans provide a set amount of coverage for dental services, and patients are responsible for paying the difference between the covered amount and the actual cost of services.

Determining Coverage Percentages

  • The insurance provider determines the typical coverage percentage for a dental procedure.
  • The insurance provider determines the typical coverage percentage based on several factors, such as the type of dental procedure, the patient’s dental plan, and the insurance provider’s policies.
  • Dental procedures considered preventive, such as regular cleanings and checkups, typically have a higher coverage percentage than procedures considered cosmetic or elective, such as teeth whitening.

Coverage Policy

Another critical aspect of eligibility verification is understanding the coverage policy. Each insurance policy has its coverage policy, which outlines what services are covered, the amount of coverage provided, and any restrictions or limitations that may apply.

Benefits Used to Date

It refers to the portion of a patient’s insurance coverage already used for dental services. For example, if a patient has a $1,000 annual maximum benefit for dental services and has already used $800 of that benefit, their benefits used to date would be $800.

Figure out the patient's deductible

A deductible is an amount the patient must pay out of pocket before their insurance coverage begins. For example, if a patient has a $500 deductible, they must pay the first $500 of their dental treatment costs, and then their insurance coverage will kick in.

This section should ask for the patient’s deductible amount and the date when it resets.

  • Including a section for notes or comments is also helpful, where dental staff can document any information regarding the patient’s deductible or insurance coverage.
  • It’s important to note that verifying a patient’s deductible may require a phone call or online inquiry to the insurance provider.
  • Some insurance providers may provide this information directly to the dental office. In contrast, others may require a patient to log in to their online portal or call the insurance company to obtain this information.
  • Dental staff should be trained to navigate the insurance verification process and communicate any relevant information to the patient.

Importance of knowing deductibles

  • Verifying a patient’s deductible is critical because it helps dental practices determine how much the patient will be responsible for paying out of pocket.
  • Knowing this information allows the practice to discuss payment options with patients and ensure they understand their financial responsibility before services are rendered.

Next up, look through the patient’s dental insurance exclusions and clauses

Age & frequency

Most dental insurance policies have age restrictions on coverage, meaning specific dental procedures may not be covered after a certain age. Patients should also inquire about any age-related exclusions before undergoing a dental practice to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses – For example, many dental insurance policies do not cover orthodontic treatment for patients over a certain age, typically 18 or 21.

In addition to age restrictions, dental insurance policies may also have frequency limitations on coverage. These limitations mean that patients may only be covered for a certain number of procedures within a specified period. For example, some dental insurance policies may only cover two dental cleanings per year or limit coverage for cavity fillings to once every two years.

Missing tooth clause

Patients who have lost teeth due to injury, decay, or other reasons may find their insurance coverage limited or non-existent.

Cosmetic Procedures

Most dental insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, veneers, or orthodontic treatment for purely aesthetic reasons.

Challenges with Insurance Eligibility Verification

Incomplete or outdated information

  • Providers rely on accurate patient information, including name, date of birth, social security number, and insurance information, to verify eligibility accurately.
  • However, patients may not always provide complete information, or the information provided may be outdated.
  • This can lead to errors in eligibility verification, resulting in denied claims and lost revenue.

Complex Insurance Plans

  • Insurance plans can vary widely, and providers must understand each plan’s specific terms and conditions to accurately verify a patient’s eligibility.
  • This can be daunting, especially for providers working with multiple insurance companies. Providers must be familiar with the different types of insurance plans, including Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), and Point of Service (POS) plans, among others.
  • Failure to understand the nuances of each plan can lead to errors in eligibility verification, which can result in denied claims and lost revenue.

Time-consuming process

  • Ensuring the accuracy of a patient’s insurance information during each visit requires a significant investment of time and human resources to achieve the desired outcomes.
  • Dental practices must contact insurance companies and wait on hold to speak with a representative to obtain the necessary information.

Streamline Your Dental Practice with MedsDental Comprehensive Insurance Verification Checklist!

Are you tired of spending hours verifying benefits and eligibility for your dental patients? Look no further than MedsDental Dental Billing Company . Our team of experts has years of experience in navigating the complex world of dental insurance. It can provide you with a comprehensive benefits and eligibility verification checklist to ensure your patients receive the coverage they need. With our services, you can save time and focus on what matters – providing high-quality dental care to your patients. Don’t let the hassle of insurance verification hold you back. Choose MedsDental Billing Company and experience the benefits of streamlined, efficient dental billing today.

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