G ove r n men t Re lat ions
the other states proving that there was a decline in network
participation.
• Insurers that do not assign benefits to non-participating
dentists are Delta Dental and United Concordia (United
Concordia assigned benefits in all other 49 states and U.S.
territories). UPMC and United Healthcare for Kids do not
consistently assign benefits to patients.
• Assignment of benefits laws will drive down health care costs
by simplifying the payment and reimbursement process.
• By enacting assignment of benefits legislation, Pennsylvania
would join 23 other states in ensuring that benefit plans are
treated as purchased products belonging to the patient. This
would help alleviate problems some patients face based on
remote geography and situations such as divorce or separation.
By requiring insurers to directly pay dental providers for
patients’ treatment, patients—not the carrier—will have the
right to decide where to direct their benefits.
Stay compliant with state regulations!
PDA provides valuable resources to members on how to
stay compliant with state laws and regulations. Check out
these links on PDA’s website for more information.
Continuing education requirements:
http://www.padental.org/docs/website/EventsCE/
Certification_Regs.pdf
Quick Tips for other state regulations:
http://www.padental.org/Online/Advocacy/State_Board_
of_Dentistry/Online/Advocacy/SBOD_Regulatory_Issues/
SBOD_Regulatory_Issues.aspx?hkey=90003c8d-826b-4f0c-
a953-e92f6f2db15c
SEP TEM BER/OC TOBER 2017 | P EN N SYLVAN IA DEN TAL JOURNAL
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