Be Our Friend - Louisiana Dental Association

time, patients can schedule appointments, arrangepayment plans and discuss financing options (asneeded) before they even leave the office.3. Claims processing: Real-time processing enablesstaff to submit claims the second a patient leavesthe operatory. The practice can determine howmuch money the insurance company will payand thus identify the amount that the patientwill need to pay up front. Staff also gains accessto an electronic explanation of benefits thatshows the amount the insurance company willcover and the patient’s financial responsibility forservices rendered, eliminating the need to maildocumentation to the patient. This approachgives patients the opportunity to ask questionsabout insurance benefits and the breakdown oftheir financial responsibility.These options provide dental offices with a rangeof benefits. Real-time transactions eliminate the needfor staff to call insurance companies or search throughindividual insurer websites while receiving immediateinsight into each transaction and thus optimizingefficiency. The end result is that everyone in the officehas more time to spend with patients. Additionally,the real-time predetermination means that patients canwork with the dentist to plan a treatment schedulethat works with their financial needs, gain a betterunderstanding of how their insurance works and avoidthe possibility of surprise dental bills showing up inthe mail weeks or even months after the conclusion oftreatment.By taking a proactive approach to establishing leanproduction methods, instituting electronic claimsprocesses and implementing real-time communicationswith insurers, dental offices can experience a multitudeof benefits. A lean office is not only more efficient andprofitable, it also can produce a loyal, satisfied patientbase that receives quick and supportive customer serviceand superior dental care. It is a chance to get leanwithout getting mean!Richard Moore is president and CEO of Mercury Data Exchange (MDE)and Brian Cutler is senior vice president of the company. MDE is a providerof real-time electronic data interchange and real-time adjudication services fordental offices, providers, and vendors. MDE is an LDA/LDS endorsed company.To learn more, visit www.whyMDE.com.Mr. G.Dr. Leah Worstman, ADA member, DDS volunteerLife Saving!Join me in participating in this vital program.Mr. G. couldn’t be approved for alife-sustaining organ transplant untilDr. Leah Worstman “restored hopeby contributing the dentalcare I had to have butcouldn’t afford.”Gordon Christensen, DDS, MS, PhD, NFDH Board Member, DDS VolunteerWhat is Donated Dental Services?DDS allows dentists to reach out to our nation’s elderly, disabled and medically compromisedpeople who desperately need comprehensive dental care but cannot afford it.Making a difference is made easy.You are in complete control. Our list of patients is growing faster than our volunteer corps.Become a DDS volunteer today.Start by helping just one DDS patient!Sign up at www.nfdh.orgor call 888-471-6334A humanitarian effort supported by...Join 342 dentists in Louisiana and more than 12,6000other dentists across the country who find itrewarding and easy to be a DDS volunteer.16 LDA Journal