Sunday, October 30, 2005

Dental Insurance and Cracked Tooth Syndrome

Rarely a day goes by without a consultant receiving at least one claim requesting a crown or onlay for a tooth described as having "cracked tooth syndrome". Accompanying the claim is usually an x-ray showing a tooth (usually posterior) with an moderately-sized existing restoration (composite or amalgam) and a intra-oral photo showing a tooth with craze lines.. There appears to be no reason to place an indirect restoration outside of the fact that the tooth has "cracked tooth syndrome". So how can you demonstrate to the consultant that that tooth indeed requires that restoration? Show that you used due diligence to arrive at this diagnosis. Send in a copy of the patient's chart demonstrating that you followed the usual course which usually includes the results of stick biting tests, removing the existing restoration to look for internal fractures, placing a temporary restoration for a period of time to see if the restoration was the problem, etc.

For more information on practice management and dealing with dental insurance in your office, CLICK HERE. If you would like to post a subject and start a discussion, EMAIL US BY CLICKING HERE

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Dentistry and Staying Fit

We're taking a poll as to how practitioners stay in shape and still maintain their hectic (emotionally and physically) schedules.

Do you take a nap?

How do you deal with stress?

Let us know.

Your exercise plan might be another's salvation.

For additional information on practice management and dealing with dental insurance in your office, EMAIL US BY CLICKING HERE

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Wednesday, October 05, 2005

The Amazing Disappearing X-rays

Believe it or not, insurance companies do not try to lose or misplace radiographs. Their intent is to get them back to the submitting doctors as quickly as possible after they’ve reviewed what information they need. But large carriers may receive thousands of films in a week. Despite their best efforts, films will be lost or returned to the wrong doctor.

So how do you prevent insurance companies from losing or misplacing your films?

1) Only send the films they require. The trend in the industry is to decrease the procedures that they request films for. Certain requirements will probably remain the same (i.e. FMX for fixed prosthetics and implants) but check with the carriers you submit to to see what procedures they require films for.

2) Never ever submit your original films. Use double film packs or send duplicates. The advantage of digital films is that you can always print another copy if any are lost.

3) Use electronic attachments wherever possible. Either scan or take digital x-rays and use a web-based attachment service such as NEA. That way your films will always be available.


For additional information on practice management and dealing with dental insurance in your office, EMAIL US BY CLICKING HERE

If you would like to start a new subject and discussion, CLICK HERE and give us an idea.

If you would like to COMMENT on this topic, click on the "comment" link below.

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