Delta Dental Fee Reduction

Cites need for competitive pricing structure resulting in affordable care, as reasons for recent announcement

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Each session, the MDA legislative team works to ensure our priorities receive discussion and attention. And, when the legislature is not in session, the MDA continues to work with like- minded and supportive individuals throughout the state as they attempt to be elected and re-elected. The most significant support we provide to these candidates is financial. The MDA cannot give that support with- out your help. The MDA has almost 2,300 member dentists. But last year, just 549 of those members contrib- uted to the Missouri Dental Political Action Committee (MODentPAC). Doubling the amount of contributors would be an admirable goal.

IF EACH MEMBER SIMPLY GAVE $50, OUR MODENTPAC WOULD GROW TO $115,000 ANNUALLY.

By joining the MODentPAC today, you can make a significant difference in your profession. There are several ways you can contribute to MODent- PAC—through a check or with your credit card. You may give a one-time contribution or sign up for monthly withdrawals. Contributions to the MODentPAC help to give the MDA a voice in the Capitol. There is strength in numbers—the numbers of MDA members who are PAC contributors. Please, join your colleagues today, and contribute to MODentPAC.

HAVE QUESTIONS … CONTACT PATRICK BAKER AT THE MDA.

www.modental.org/givetopac ISSUE 4 | JUL/AUG 2013 | focus 19 T

he MDA has been keeping our members apprised of updates since Delta Dental of Missouri (DDMO) issued a letter on May 13, notifying its provider network of the company’s decision to reduce the reimbursement rates paid to its Premier® and PPO

network providers.

In response to that initial letter from DDMO, the MDA sent an email notice to our members, stating we had become aware of this notification and that we had continued to receive calls from members providing information and expressing concern. The MDA sent a letter on May 29 to DDMO to express our disappointment and concern over this decision and to ask DDMO to reevaluate its reduction of provider reimbursements rates.

On June 24, the MDA received a response from DDMO, which provided information that spoke to the reasons for the rate reduction decision. The following bullets provide some sum- mary statements from the letter, and you can go to www.modental.org/delta to read the letters referenced in this article.

 The recent changes are not due to DDMO being in a financial crisis; rather, to ensure a competitive pricing struc- ture for its clients and members, which ultimately allows people to afford dental care.

 There are a variety of reasons the DDMO Premier Network has outlined its current structure for reimbursement, and the adjustments DDMO is making will bring the reimbursement for its networks back to a relevant position in the marketplace.

 DDMO believes its commitment to ac- curate and timely claims payment and overall service support sets it apart from other carriers.

 DDMO leadership has spent the last three years analyzing its markets and competitive position within those, and did not enter into this decision lightly.

 The letter shared information about how the DDMO board operates, both in an effort to be transparent and to provide a better understanding of the company’s decision-making process

 The letter specifically addresses a few of the statements from the MDA letter, including about the topics of “patients’ ability to access quality dental care” and DDMO considering “further reductions in administrative costs.”

 DDMO believes the provider reimburse- ment decision is a sound and prudent business decision and does not see the need to reconsider.

 The DDMO executive team will con- tinue to monitor its administrative cost structure and will continue to find op- portunities for operating efficiencies and make improvements.

In going forward, the MDA will continue to monitor the situation carefully and will strive to work collaboratively with our component societies to find ways to serve our members and to improve the oral health of the communities served by Missouri’s dental profession.

We encourage members to contact DDMO with questions and for opportunities to both pro- vide input and receive information. The DDMO professional relations team can be reached at provideraccess@ddpmo.org, 800-392-1167, Ext 2719 or 314-656-2719.