ADA urges dental benefit administrators to better communicate with practices

The ADA has sent letters to dental benefit administrators urging them to address deficiencies in the system for eligibility and benefits verification.

Administrative burdens and inefficiencies imposed by third-party payors are unnecessarily increasing frustration for both patients and providers, especially when the cost of business has significantly increased for dental practices, according to the ADA. Specifically, the ADA in its August 11 letter stated that it hopes the industry will address deficiencies in the following areas:

• Accuracy and completeness of eligibility/benefit information
• Predetermination processes

"We hope that together we can help resolve these important barriers for the dentists and patients we serve," wrote ADA President Chad Gehani, DDS, and Executive Director Kathleen O'Loughlin, DMD.