MDS Members | Massachusetts Dental Society (original) (raw)
Registration Is Open!
Join us January 30 - February 1, 2025, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center to celebrate 50 years of excellence at Yankee Dental Congress 2025!
Join The MDS
Massachusetts dentists turn to the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) for guidance, education, and focused advocacy. Whether you're embarking on your journey as a new dentist or navigating a transition in your career, the MDS has your back. Join your professional organization today and elevate your career to new heights.
TeamSmile Oral Health Event
TeamSmile and the New England Patriots are partnering with the Massachusetts Dental Society and other organizations to bring an oral health event to Gillette Stadium. The event will provide children with dental exams, X-rays, hygiene, fillings, and extractions. If you know of a Title 1 school in the area interested in attending, contact TeamSmile Senior Program Manager Bobby Casey.
MDS Member Savings Partners
Our Member Savings Program partners are carefully reviewed and vetted to save you time and to provide you with confidence in their products and services. See how our partners can help you save today.
The MDS Career Center
Need to find new talent? The MDS Career Center is a one-stop shop for job seekers and employers, designed to offer a more centralized job platform for dental professionals. Post your ad today and receive a 15% discount at check out by using code AUTUMN15. This offer expires on October 31 at midnight and is limited to one ad placement per user.
New Dentist Events Series
The MDS has created a complimentary New Dentist Events Series aimed at helping dentists who have been in the profession for five years or less succeed in their careers. These programs offer opportunities to learn from and connect with industry experts and peers.
MDS Cares Volunteer Program
Sign up now for the upcoming MDS Cares volunteer opportunity with Cradles to Crayons on Sat., November 9, 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Volunteers will work in The Giving Factory to inspect, sort, and package donations. Volunteers are asked to bring a donation. Register today!
Register for Yankee Study Club
Fall Yankee Study Club is here! Register for the full package (all four sessions) and earn 7 CE credits upon completion. Session three, "Straightening Out TMD: The Clear Aligner Solution," will be held on October 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Dental Practice Insights
Historically, most insurance companies issue claim payments by mailing providers a check and an associated hard copy of the Explanation of Benefits (EOB). In recent years, these companies have transitioned away from mail to an electronic payment/direct deposit system with an electronic EOB. Many insurance companies were incentivizing providers to switch to electronic payment processing by offering a higher percentage of compensation (1-2% more). Electronic payment processing gave the providers a faster payment option and, in some cases, increased reimbursement for the completed procedure. For insurance companies, the benefit of electronic processing was reduced overhead expenses.
But what has changed? Now, some insurance companies are contracting with third-party administrators (TPA) to handle their electronic claims processing, and the claims administration processing fees are now shifting to providers. These TPAs are utilizing two payment options that have hidden processing fees:
- Fax/email a virtual electronic credit card
- Direct deposit/electronic payment into the practice's checking account
The new processing methods are often imposed without the dental office's approval. Practices may start receiving virtual credit cards via fax or email. If the office accepts the virtual credit card payment, they may have to pay a 2-3% credit card processing fee on each card, depending on the terms of the practice's credit card processor. Likewise, if direct deposit/electronic payment is accepted, the bank may charge providers a 1.9% fee on each deposit into the bank account. With either option, the dental practice is receiving less compensation than if reimbursed with a paper check.
Be Aware! Some of these companies allow you to opt out of methods that don’t work for your office, but those opt outs may only be good for one year, so you may have to opt out annually.
Each practice must decide what claims payment process works for their office. Talk with staff to review how the practice handles virtual credit card transactions. The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) Dental Practice and Benefits Committee recommends directly contacting the insurance companies your practice works with to discuss the available claims payment processing options. Once you know your options, you can decide what process works best for your practice.
Published June 2024.