what's inside - New York State Dental Association

New York State Medicaid Program to Undergo ChangeAnticipated changes will affect covered patients and dentists.Judith L. Shub, Ph.D.As New York State struggles to meet itsever-increasing Medicaid costs, Gov.Andrew Cuomo and the Departmentof Health (DOH) are looking to managedcare organizations (MCOs) tohelp reduce and control these costs. The good news is thatthe governor and the Medicaid Redesign Team have notcalled for a reduction in dental services in the coming year.However, several planned changes will affect many coveredpatients and dentists who participate in the Medicaidprogram. Specifically, DOH plans to implement twosignificant changes to the Medicaid dental program.The first of these changes occurs on July 1, whenDOH will require all managed care plans to offerdental coverage (except orthodontia) to their Medicaidenrollees. This will be followed on Oct. 1, whenDOH will end the carve-out of orthodontic servicesby requiring patients enrolled in MCOs to obtaintheir orthodontic care through their MCOs.Patients who are not enrolled in an MCO willcontinue to receive their dental benefit through thecurrent “fee-for-service” Medicaid program.State governments across the nation are turning tomanaged care to control the ever-increasing financialliability associated with public healthcare programs.Unlike Medicaid, neither the Child Health Plus(SCHIP) nor the Family Health Plus programs providesfunding (benefits) for actual healthcare. Instead,the state purchases benefits in total or in part for eligibleprogram recipients from third party payers. Thebenefit plans purchased in these programs are managedcare plans.In 1996, New York received a waiver from the federalgovernment allowing it to enrollMedicaid recipients in managed care plans.Since then, DOH has entered into contractswith a number of managed care companies/organizations and endeavored to enrollMedicaid recipients in these health plans fortheir medical and dental care. Up until now,these MCOs were not required to offer dentaltreatment to Medicaid recipients. Forthose that did, orthodontic treatment wascarved out of the required treatment offerings.It is these two policies that are scheduledto change in the months ahead.DOH’s current policy continues tocall for the transfer of all Medicaid recipientsinto managed care. And DOH willrequire that all MCOs with which it contractsprovide both medical and dentaltreatment services, including orthodonticservices, to its Medicaid enrollees. Thiswill have two immediate effects. First, itwill require MCOs to create or expandtheir panels of participating dentists. As aresult, MCOs will be competing toincrease their panels by contracting withmore dentists. This should improve theability of dentists to achieve more favorableterms when negotiating managedcare contracts. Second, it will broaden thepresence of MCOs in the benefit marketplace.Both of these factors underscore theimportance of dentists understandingmanaged care before entering into legalcontracts with managed care companies.While DOH has set dates for transitioningpatients into managed care plansfor their dental treatment, it has notexplained how these transitions will occur.For example, DOH has not announcedwhether the current protocols for eligibilityscreening for orthodontic patients in NewYork City will be discontinued or whatarrangements will be made for orthodonticpatients who are currently in treatment.Regardless, the change underscoresthe need to verify the eligibility and paymentsource for every Medicaid patientat every appointment. Dentists who donot have participation agreements with apatient’s managed care plan will not beeligible to receive Medicaid reimbursementfor that patient’s treatment. zDr. Shub is NYSDA Assistant Executive Directorfor Health Affairs. She can be reached by callingthe NYSDA office, 1 (800) 255-2100, or writingto jshub@nysdental.org.NYSDA NEWS / May 20124

On a Mission to Promote Oral HealthNew York State Dental Foundation seeks partners to carry out health certificate screenings.G. Kirk Gleason, D.D.S.One way the New York State Dental Foundation promotesits mission is by seeking opportunities for public/private partnerships to address access to care, informpolicymakers and other stakeholders, and to raiseawareness of the importance of oral health in the totalhealth picture. For instance, we work with the winnersof our Give Kids a Smile Award to demonstrate how asustainable solution can be constructed on combinedbusiness and community needs. Corporate partnerssuch as Henry Schein, Inc., experience social benefitsand get to tell their story of support for agreater good. Public partners, such as theNew York State Health DepartmentBureau of Dental Health and the NewYork State Oral Health Coalition, help ustake advantage of leveraging privatecapabilities and relationships to maximizethe impact of our partnership onprograms and local communities. And welook forward to working with NYSDA tocoordinate the Missions of Mercy programin 2013.Among the public/private partnershipopportunities we have been workingon for the past few years is promotion ofthe children’s dental health certificateprogram. As you are no doubt aware,NYSDA was an early advocate of thislaw, which requires that all public schoolsrequest that students entering K, 2, 4, 7and 10th grades submit a dental healthcertificate. Dentists are encouraged to dothe screening, which is a non-poke procedurethat takes just minutes to complete.They do these exams for free or atreduced cost in an effort to motivate thefamilies of the 50 percent of children whocurrently do not see a dentist to go“through the door.”As part of the New York StateDental Workforce Grant, the foundationis recruiting dentists to perform dentalcertificate screenings for children livingin health professional shortage areas(HPSAs). New York State is aiming torecruit 50 dentists by 2013 to providefree dental screenings to students whoattend a high-need school. We havebeen working with component societies,among them the Fourth, Fifth, Seventhand Eighth District Dental societies,which have high-need schools withintheir geographic boundaries. We havealso been recruiting interested DonatedDental Services volunteers to assist withscreenings. NYSDF Board member DavidSchirmer has developed a checklist forhow to do a screening at an elementary school, whichcan be accessed through the dental health certificatesection of our website, www.nysdentalfoundation.org.Pictures of events in various components can also befound there.I encourage all NYSDA members to consider promotingthe dental health certificate program. It’s animportant reminder that dental health is synonymouswith good overall health, and it underscores our profession’scommitment to public health. If you or your componentdental society is planning a children’s dentalhealth screening, I urge you to contact me or NYSDFExecutive Director Laura Leon to discuss how we maybe able to partner with you to help make the event asuccess. We are all in this together! zDr. Gleason is chair of the New York State Dental FoundationBoard of Trustees.5NYSDA NEWS / May 2012

New Electronic Prescribing Regulations Affect Conduct of Prescribers continued from page 1Similarly, the Pharmacy Practice Act was amended toapply the same mandatory generic drug substitutionand “dispense as written” requirements for electronicprescriptions as for written prescriptions. Dentists whowish to have a brand name drug dispensed only aswritten must now make a specific electronic indicationof this requirement as part of the electronic prescription,just as they would on a written prescription.Another requirement is that all prescriptions sent byfacsimile must be manually signed by the prescribingdentist. Prescriptions sent by facsimile are not treated aselectronic prescriptions under the new laws and regulations,but as ordinary written prescriptions that just happento be sent via a telefax to the pharmacy.The new regulations implement the statutory requirementsfor all these changes to the law. They take effecton July 11.The critical new change for dentists is the requirementof a valid electronic signature to legitimize anelectronic prescription. Under the new regulations,an electronic signature means any electronic sound,symbol or process, attached to or logically associatedwith an electronic prescription, executed or adoptedby a person with the intent to sign the prescription,and effectively secured from alteration by an unauthorizedthird party. It does not have to be a reproductionof the prescriber’s written signature, but itdoes have to be a secure process that is specific tothe prescriber and indicates that the prescriberintended to sign and issue the prescription. A phar-macist will not accept the electronic prescription if ithas not been, at a minimum, electronically encryptedby the prescribing dentist.Various e-prescribing software systems meet thenew requirements when used by a prescribing dentist,and a dentist will need to investigate and purchasesuch systems carefully. The dentist is going towant to ensure that the e-prescribing system will alsobe compatible with the coming electronic prescriptionrequirements of the United States Drug EnforcementAdministration (DEA), which is moving toward electronicprescriptions for controlled substances too.New York is not yet at that point for controlled substances,which continue to be covered under the oldwritten prescription rules. zNYSDA NEWS / May 20128

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Legislative Relations—Leaders of Eighth District hosted fundraiser for RepublicanSen. George Maziarz of Lockport. Among those in attendance are, from left, DavidBonnevie, district treasurer; John Nasca, president elect; Sen. Maziarz; Joe Modica, vicepresident; Raymond Miller, chair, Government Affairs Committee; Michael Marone, secretary.Long Island Dentist NamedInfluential Business WomanMaria C. Maranga, D.D.S., immediate past president ofthe Suffolk County Dental Society and a founder of the popularScrubs & Stilettos women’s conference, held each year onLong Island, has been named among Long Island’s Top 50Most Influential Women in Business. The designation by LongIsland Business News recognizes the contributions womenprofessionals make to the region’s economy and communities.Dr. Maranga and the other awardees were honored atan awards dinner on May 17.Maria MarangaDr. Maranga, who is president of the New York StateEndodontics Association, practices in Aquebogue, Suffolk County. Two years ago, Dr.Maranga, along with Lidia Epel and Meena Jaiswal of Nassau County DentalSociety, developed Scrubs & Stilettos todeliver clinical instruction, health-relatedand practice management topics tothe increasing number of women practicingdentistry. The conference hasbeen recognized with a NYSDAHallmarks of Excellence Award andADA Golden Apple Award.Dr. Maranga is on the dental staffat Southampton Hospital and is clinicalassistant professor of postgraduateendodontics at Stony Brook University.She is the chair of the SCDS Membershipand Communications Committee and amember of the NYSDA Council onMembership and Communications. Sheis an alternate delegate to the NYSDAHouse of Delegates and an at-largemember of the Empire Dental PoliticalAction Committee Board of Directors.Dr. Maranga is a graduate of theNew York University College of Dentistry.She did her general practice residencyat VA Medical Center in Northport andcompleted a postgraduate program inendodontics at NYU. zNYSDA NEWS / May 201212

ClassifiedsFOR SALEMANHATTAN: Midtown. 4-treatment room fully functioning officefor sale: $85,000. Save a bundle on construction! Long lease.Easy access to transportation and parking. Many amenities: largestaff room, nitrous oxide, laboratory, dark room, panographicX-ray, two entrances, two lavatories. Practice for sale separately.Contact: (718) 549-1570; or e-mail: xpo93@aol.com.NEW YORK STATE: Perio practice in 1,200-square-foot professionaldental building for sale. Leased space with 2 chairs andpart-time hygienists. Grossing $180K annually for total 42 days ofwork. Tremendous growth potential. Convenient to mass transit andmajor highways to NYC. High profit, digital, Eagle Soft. Priced tosell at $129K. E-mail: healthygums2010@gmail.com for this outstandingopportunity.CENTRAL NY: General dental practice with 6 ops grossing $1.2million in scenic town of 20,000. Established 1988. 2 generaldentists - 4 days/week; orthodontist and oral surgeon – 1 day/week. Please call (315) 449-1778.Albany: Projected gross $975K, high net. 4 chairs, expandable,high-tech office. 3 years new. Best location. 2 full-timehygiene, no evenings/ Saturdays. Retiring. Contact The ClemensGroup at (800)300-2939; or www.theclemensgroup.com.Manhattan: East 80’s co-op and practice. Prestigious location.Grossing over $500K on 3 days. High profit, FFS. Contact TheClemens Group at (800)300-2939; or www.theclemensgroup.com.Greene County: Grossing $700K. State-of-the-art, owner facility.5 ops, 4 days, mostly FFS. Excellent location off I-87. Nomarketing and limited insurance. Easy commute to Albany. PRIDEoffice. Contact The Clemens Group at (800)300-2939; or www.theclemensgroup.com.Nassau/North Shore: Grossing $1.5 million. 5 chairs,expandable. Mostly FFS, full transfer. Contact The Clemens Groupat (800)300-2939; or www.theclemensgroup.com.Astoria: 2011 gross $776K. 6 chairs, store-front. Net $350K.2012 projected gross $800K+. Contact The Clemens Group at(800)300-2939; or www.theclemensgroup.com.Monmouth COUNTY: Pedo, grossing $1.25M. Premier practice,no ortho, long-established and well-regarded. Contact TheClemens Group at (800)300-2939 or www.theclemensgroup.com.Sag Harbor Area: Gross averaged $400K last 2 years. FFS,3 chairs, expandable. Good fees, hygienist. Real estate available;can be transferred to your office. Will not last. Contact The ClemensGroup at (800)300-2939; or www.theclemensgroup.com.WEST ORANGE COUNTY: 2,000-square-foot dental office in4,000-square-foot professional building. Over 2,000 activepatients. 4 operatories with room for expansion, plumbed, nitrous,Panorex, all A-Dec equipment. Grossing over $660,000 on 4-dayweek. No evenings or Saturdays. Doctor retiring. Contact MartinMatler at Countrywide Practice Brokerage (800) 222-7848; orvisit: www.ddsbrokers.com.SCARSDALE: Home/office for sale. 12-year-old, center-hall colonial.Three bedrooms, 3.5 baths, full workshop, heated/air-conditionedgarage. Office has 2 ops, waiting room, reception area,lab, dark room. Exterior parking for 5 cars. Please call (914) 713-4867. Details on http://web.me.com/cgac1.ROCHESTER: Dental building for sale. 1,500 square feet.Excellent suburban location on major state highway. Located nearlarge school system. Ample parking, two rental apartments to helppay mortgage. Open to discussing purchasing agreements.Contact: tamberlane@frontiernet.net.CAPITAL DISTRICT: Perio practice with Endo associate for sale;2 locations. Grossing $45-50K/month collection on PT scheduleincluding PT hygienist. Offices are within 30 miles of each other inprestigious locations convenient to major highways. Tremendousgrowth potential. Digital, total 5 chairs, Eagle Soft. High profit.Must be financially qualified for purchase. Contact:healthygums2010@gmail.com.ROSLYN HEIGHTS: Home with office (separate entrance) forsale. Center-hall colonial with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths on 1.25acres with tennis court. Attached dental office has 2 ops, receptionarea, waiting room with bathroom, darkroom and parking. Forsale without dental equipment. For info, visit: www.elliman.com/2462296; or call Mollie Grossman (516) 629-2221 or JohnGrossman (516) 629-2229.CENTRAL NEW YORK/MOHAWK VALLEY: Retiring. 10-yearoldestablished practice, relaxed atmosphere. 4 days/week; 6patients/day; doctor and hygienist. 2 ops, Panorex room. 5,000patients. $400K gross with 45% overhead. 2-story building with15 parking spots. E-mail inquiries to: fxmdds@aol.com.LONG ISLAND—Dix Hills: Retiring general dentist with wellestablishedpractice selling both practice and luxurious home.State-of-the-art office, fully-computerized, digital X-rays and laser.Please call (631) 491-3232; or e-mail: howard_leemon@yahoo.com.MANHATTAN: Townhouse for sale. Three-story building locatedon East 50’s between First Avenue and Sutton Place. Elegant,duplex residence located on second and third floors. Workingdental office on street-level floor with five operatories; attractive,unusual patient waiting room; doctor’s private office and workareas. Dental practice and building air rights are not available.Please call (212) 838-3461 or (212) 755-5412.MID-HUDSON VALLEY: Looking for right candidate to purchaseand take over straight-wire orthodontic practice located in beautifuland historic mid-Hudson Valley. Well-established practice for morethan 30 years. Paired with pedodontic practice with separate spacebut shared staff. Onsite lab. Low overhead and active referral source.Community-grounded, family-oriented practice necessitating the rightcandidate. Includes transition period. Ideal first office or satellite practice.For more information and to be considered, contact: AndrewMcKenzie: amckenzie077@gmail.com or (518) 357-2031.Rockland County: Super home-office, well-established, grossing$614K part time. FFS, highly visible prime location. Best community.4-bedroom house recently upgraded. Retiring. Contact TheClemens Group at (800)300-2939; or www.theclemensgroup.com.13NYSDA NEWS / May 2012

ROCHESTER: Well-established, locally owned family group practiceseeks qualified individuals to join our group. Flexible hours;excellent earning potential. Visit us online at www.Qdental.com.Contact Rosemary via e-mail: rzaepfel@rochester.rr.com.SERVICESTAXES: Your office, business or personal. Specialty dentists.Personable CPA. Call Stuart A. Sinclair, CPA, at (516) 935-2086.Offices located at 1120 Old Country Rd., Plainview, NY 11803.COMPUTER SERVICES: Computer, Network and Server Supportfor your dental practice. Team of PC/Mac certified technicians withover 20 years’ experience. We fully support all dental software.Comprehensive protection and support starting at only $20/month. Call (800) 451-8381; or visit www.nyctss.com for moreinformation and schedule FREE consultation.ASSOCIATESHIPS AVAILABLESUFFOLK COUNTY: Mid-South Shore. High-quality, fee-for-servicegeneral practice seeks hard working, compassionate dentist proficientin all phases of practice, especially extractions and pedo, tojoin our staff 3-4 Saturdays/month with possibility to expand.Excellent opportunity. CV via e-mail to: drmcldds@aol.com.MIDTOWN: Well-established, prestigious, highly regardedMidtown periodontal implant practice. Great opportunity. Seekingpart-time associate for eventual long-term future. Send CV to: dr.froum@erizon.net.BRONX: Pelham Parkway area. Part-time associateship positionavailable for general dentist in new, state-of-the-art, multi-specialtyprivate office. Convenient area to Long Island, Westchester andManhattan. Excellent compensation for productive, caring provider.Please call (718) 654-2320; or e-mail: jgoldendds@gmail.com.BUFFALO: Associate wanted. Newly expanded FFS practicesearching for top notch general dentist. 15 computerized ops,healthy new patient flow, well-trained and motivated staff.Guaranteed per diem. Resumes to: wmsmiles@gmail.com.NEW YORK METRO AREA: Experienced general dentist veryproficient in all phases of dentistry seeks part-time associateship inNassau, W. Suffolk, Queens, Brooklyn. Friendly, high-trained.Please call Dr. Cohen at (516) 234-0337; or e-mail: shinbet@gmail.com.NEW YORK METRO AREA: General dentist. Motivated, energeticand knowledgeable comprehensive care dentist looking forpart-time/full-time position. Experience in both private and communitypractice settings. Contact Dr. Teo by e-mail: plat0064@gmail.com; or phone: (651) 343-1800.IMPLANTS: Manhattan, Queens Long Island areas. Seeking PTposition to place and/or restore implants. Trained and skilled in allphases of implant treatment. IV sedation certified. CV availableupon request. Call (718) 426-6959; or e-mail: drdemirdjan@gmail.com.CENTRAL NEW YORK: Associate wanted to replace retiringpartner. 25-year-old general practice in beautiful college town.Practice gross over $1 million. Excellent compensation. Please call(315) 317-0125; or e-mail: sacks5@aol.com.WESTERN NY: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Associate with ownershippotential. Growing multi-specialist practice with six suburbanoffices, all with new equipment, including four cone beam CT scanners.Active marketing programs; local chapter managers of Seattle StudyClub. Benefits include health insurance, malpractice, continuing education,relocation expenses. Two dedicated DAs and treatment coordinator.Income potential $300-500K first year. See www.RochesterPerio.com. Please forward CV: Lisa@RochesterPerio.com.SYRACUSE AREA: General dentist. Growing, modern, digitalX-ray, guaranteed per diem up to $900/day. No administrativeresponsibilities. Malpractice, vacation, health insurance. Contact:korr@canalviewdds.com; fax: (315) 593-1896. Visit: www.northeastdentalsite.com.SOUTHERN SARATOGA COUNTY: Full-time associate wanted forbusy village office in Saratoga County to replace retiring dentist. Wespecialize in all phases of dentistry with focus on patient-centered care.Large, beautiful office with strong hygiene program. Well-educatedpatients and superb, dedicated staff. Generous compensation andbenefits package offered. Inquiries to: heyhansens@aol.com.WESTERN NY: Periodontist. Associate with ownership potential.Growing multi-specialist practice in with six suburban offices, allwith new facilities and equipment, including PerioLase/LANAP andfour cone beam scanners. Active marketing programs; local chaptermanagers of Seattle Study Club. Benefits include health insurance,malpractice, continuing education, and relocation expenses.Two dedicated DAs and treatment coordinator. Income potential$300-500K first year. See www.RochesterPerio.com. Please forwardCV: Lisa@RochesterPerio.com.NASSAU COUNTY: Expanding dental practice seeks associate.Seeking salaried dentist with minimum 3 years’ clinical experience.Possible equity buy-in. Skills must be top 10%. Includeresume and CV with reply. Principals only. No phone calls,no recruiters. Reply to: drblack3459@gmail.com.SCHENECTADY: General practice associate wanted 1-2days. High-quality dentistry. DentistHD@yahoo.com.WALDEN, NY: Exciting opportunity for dentist to join wellestablished,upscale practice. Full-time position with possibly1-2 evenings, two weekdays, plus Friday and Saturday.We are looking for future partner/owner. All informationconfidential. Resumes to: drsmh@frontiernet.net. Visit ourwebsite: www.aresontosmile.com.WOODSTOCK: Part-time associate wanted for longestablishedpractice leading to possible, eventual full time.Possible buy in/out. Excellent location, FFS, 5 operatories,digital, nitrous. Strong hygiene. Skilled, compassionate clinician.E-mail: travelinmax@earthlink.net.ASSOCIATESHIPS WANTEDNEW YORK STATE: General Dentist with 20 years’ experience,proficient in all phases of dentistry, seeking employmentin NYS. Phone: (843) 816-1152; or e-mail: skmanko@gmail.com.GENERAL DENTIST: Highly experienced general dentistavailable for all phases of treatment seeks PT position inNYC or Albany area. Loma Linda ‘98 grad. Medicaidcertified. Contact Dr. Anderson (360) 852-3566; email:anderson45@me.com.15NYSDA NEWS / May 2012