In dental school, you studied and started to master the clinical side of being a dentist: you know the anatomy, treatments, technology, and more. By the time you finish dental school, you can feel ready to open your own practice! But you might not have learned the logistical part of running an office and working with dental insurance. If you aren’t familiar with dental insurance verification, for instance, your practice can struggle! Here are the basics you need to know about verification and the steps involved.
What Is Dental Insurance Verification?
Dental insurance verification is the process of confirming the patient’s insurance plan. As much as possible, you need to collect their insurance information prior to their visit. Why does this matter? Sometimes, the patient’s handwriting can be difficult to read, or the group ID number is inaccurate because the phone connection was spotty. Sometimes, someone makes a simple mistake that could postpone getting paid.
However, a small error doesn’t have to throw a wrench into your well-oiled dental practice and delay payment you’re owed. Confirming policy information with the insurance company makes the filing and submission process much easier, faster, and more successful. As a result, you and your team have to deal with fewer complications, delays, and denied claims.
Step 1: Getting the Patient’s Information Before the Appointment
Having this information in advance allows you plenty of time to confirm that their policy is valid and what they have benefits available. If something is amiss or incorrect, you can reach out to the patient to address the issue before the appointment even starts.
Step 2: Confirming the Patient’s Policy, Benefits, and Annual Maximum
To verify a patient’s insurance, you must call the insurance company and supply the information the patient has given you. During this phone call, you need to make sure you get an accurate picture of the plan’s status and answer certain questions. Is the policy active? What services are covered? At what percentage? How much of their annual maximum does the patient have available?
Step 3: Communicate with the Patient and Follow-Up
When the patient receives a treatment plan, it’s important to be transparent and give them an accurate breakdown of insurance and out-of-pocket costs. Using the confirmed information about their plan, you can let them know what they still owe after insurance pays its part.
The final step in verification is following up with the insurance company after the claim has been filed to ensure on-time payment.
As the dentist and practice owner, you don’t have to become a dental insurance expert, but you do need to be aware of the basic steps so that you can understand what is necessary to keep your office’s finances running smoothly.
About Dental Support Specialties
Dental Support Specialties was founded in 2008 and has provided administrative assistance to practices throughout the country ever since. Our professionals have years of experience working with insurance companies, and we can handle verification for you. In addition, we offer phone answering services, chart auditing, and more. To learn how we can help your practice thrive, contact us online here.