Dentaltown January 2014 - (Page 22)

second opinion column The Value of Patient Engagement and Cost Transparency Second opinions are common in health care, whether a doctor is sorting out a difficult case or a patient is not sure what to do next. In the context of our magazine, the first opinion will always belong to the reader. This feature will allow fellow dental professionals to share their opinions on various topics, providing you with a "second opinion." Perhaps some of these observations will change your mind, while others will solidify your position. In the end, our goal is to create discussion and debate to enrich our profession. - Thomas Giacobbi, DDS, FAGD, Editorial Director, Dentaltown Magazine "But how much will that cost me?" "Why was my claim for this dental service denied? I thought it would be covered." "Can you tell me why I have been charged $300 for this procedure, when I found information online that indicated the typical cost is closer to $150?" You might have heard these questions - or close variations of them - from your patients recently. Such patient-provider conversations are the sign of a significant trend shift: consumer education and engagement around dental costs have become a prominent aspect of delivering quality dental care. Until recently, patients' questions about dental fees came principally from the uninsured. For insured patients, most dental practices worked largely with payers to determine reimbursement and settle claims. Discussions about costs were not common in the exam room. However, starting recently, employers and insurers have been changing their benefit structures to mitigate the financial impact of rising health-care costs. Accordingly, even insured dental patients are increasingly responsible for the cost of procedures, particularly for care extending beyond preventive and diagnostic services, and for costs exceeding annual coverage limits. And, as a result, patients want to know what they will be paying. A recent report by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO)1 highlighted this issue, with findings showing that dental patients increasingly shoulder more of their dental expenses out-of-pocket. The GAO study also found that the dental fees charged by dentists and health centers vary widely, even within the same communities, as well as across the country. With the enactment of the Affordable Care Act and changes in access to and financing for health care, the economics of both medical and dental practice have become dramatically different. Patients who pay all of their own dental bills, as well as those with insurance who are increasingly responsible for more of their dental care costs, are educating themselves about their out-ofpocket exposure for dental care and becoming more proactive with their providers. But how does this movement to a more cost-aware patient impact your practice? As president of FAIR Health, I witness firsthand this growing consumer interest in clear, contextualized information on health-care costs. As a national, independent, not-for-profit corporation focused on bringing transparency to health-care costs and health insurance information, we strive to educate consumers about the many factors that influence the cost of care and determine the extent of insurance reimbursement and the ultimate out-of-pocket costs that fall on patients' shoulders. At FAIR Health, we believe 1. http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/657454.pdf by Robin Gelburd continued on page 24 22 JANUARY 2014 » dentaltown.com http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/657454.pdf http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown January 2014

New Products
Dentaltown.com Highlights
Howard Speaks: “Go West, Young Man”
Professional Courtesy: A Treatment Plan for Your Practice
Continuing Education Update
Second Opinion: The Value of Patient Engagement and Cost Transparency
Big Case on the Go, Your Input Welcome!
Impress or Scan… What’s the General Consensus?
Corporate Profile: Centrix
The Wish List
Clutter vs. Sanity
Every Case is Unique
I’m So Tired of Her Attitude
Top 12 Best Practices for 2014
Ten Units in Five Hours with a Fast and Easy Milling Material
Seven SEO Strategies to Accelerate New Patient Acquisition
Dentaltown Research: Equipment
You Should Know: GoodMouth
Ad Index
In This Section: Polishing
Perio Reports
Profile in Oral Health: How Subgingival Air Polishing Will Turn Dental Hygiene Upside Down
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown January 2014