Managing the process of dental insurance claims can be challenging due to its intricate procedures and stringent regulations. A dental practice may choose to handle claims processing through in-house teams or opt for the services of a dental billing and collection company to liaise with dental insurance providers. To ensure prompt and accurate reimbursement from insurance organizations, it’s crucial to have a thorough understanding of how to streamline processes for optimal results. Here are some steps to follow:
Verification of the Patient’s Insurance Coverage
Verifying a patient’s insurance coverage is essential for precise claim submissions and ensures the dental practice gets paid for services rendered. It aids in making patients understand their dental insurance policy and coverage, prevents claim denials, and facilitates faster payments.
The verification process involves collecting key insurance details such as the organization, policy number, and group number, and contacting the insurance company to check policy coverage details, eligibility, and other terms and conditions.
Getting Prior Authorization as Required
Pre-authorization helps the practice determine the maximum coverage possible. Contacting the insurance company to confirm the reimbursement amount and co-payment details is crucial, as claims can be rejected if a patient fails to pay the required co-payment amount.
Requests for prior authorization should include all relevant documentation, such as charts, x-rays, and treatment plans, especially for complex or expensive procedures.
Treatment Documentation
Accurate treatment documentation supports faster processing and acceptance of dental insurance claims. These documents should include CDT codes, treatment notes, radiographs, etc.
Electronic Claim Submission
Using electronic claim forms or software for digital submission of dental insurance claims can simplify the process. Digital submissions lead to quicker validation, processing, and cost savings, with reduced chances of errors compared to manual methods.
Comprehension of Coordination of Benefits
When patients have coverage through multiple dental plans, insurance organizations need to coordinate benefits to avoid duplication. Typically, the primary dental insurance pays first, followed by the secondary plan covering the remaining expenses as per the coverage amount.
Precise Submission of Claims
Incorrect submissions lead to rejections or denials, causing delays. Practices must ensure precise submission of claims, including correctly coded procedures, patient data, treatment documents, and timely submissions.
Usage of Correctly Coded Procedures
Dental codes are dynamic; using outdated or wrong codes can result in delayed reimbursements or denials. Practices should use a standardized coding system, such as CDT codes, and be aware of bundling and unbundling rules.
Hiring the services of a dental billing and collection company allows the practice to focus on core competencies while ensuring accurate claim submissions and effective liaison with dental insurance companies. They stay updated with code changes and understand the coordination of benefits.
