UpdateThe DelTa DenTal of ColoraDo

A quarterly newsletter for dentists & staffsummer 2013

In ThIs IssueDelta Dental of Colorado’s new Individual and family PlansDelta Dental in Your Pocket

Connect for health ColoradoProvider satisfaction surveymyDentalscoresubmitting Claims With attachmentsGet social

Brush With me!a Year In reviewDental Care assistance2013 Classes and seminarsDelta Dental’s networks Keep GrowingThe Update is Going Digital

In early May you should have received your personal My Practice View report for 2012. This report compares your metrics of care to your peers in the same discipline. The report is for informational purposes only and is intended to provide insight into your pattern of practice to better understand your practice in relation to those of your peers. The report is run only on the Delta Dental of Colorado patients you treated in the 2012 calendar year. It is confidential and was mailed only to you. It is not available to any other individual or entity. This is the first time Delta Dental of Colorado has prepared such a report for providers. “This is the culmination of years of development and is meant to start a dialogue on patterns of practice in our community,” says Dental Director Michael Okuji, DDS. “The public—your patients—are clamoring for more information on the health services they receive. We live in a world of transparency and accountability, and practitioners need to become responsive.”

If you have questions about the data included in your report or would like to discuss it further, feel free to call Dr. Okuji at 720-489-4739 or email him at mokuji@ddpco.com.

My Practice ViewProviding Insight into Practice Patterns

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Delta Dental of coloraDo’s new inDiViDual anD faMily Plans

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By now, you should have received your new individual and family plans brochures from Delta Dental of Colorado. You’ll see that we are giving individuals and families three new plans to choose from: Enhanced, Classic and Clear. Each one is designed to work with different needs and budgets, which will help ensure greater access to dental care for your patients and their families. If you need additional brochures or would like to order additional easels, call 1-708-731-2260. You can also order additional materials quickly and conveniently online at reorder.rgcnet.com.

Please remember that you should now be submitting claims for services performed after May 1 for your patients who have individual coverage (not those in group-sponsored plans) to a different location. A sample of the individual dental plan ID card is shown here. The new member ID number is on the card.

to submit electronic claims: Payer ID: WDENC

customer service number: 1-888-899-3734

website: deltadentalcoversme.com (click on information for Dentists tab)

to submit Paper claims: Delta Dental, PO Box 103, Stevens Point, WI 54481-0103

Healthcare reform is quickly approaching, and Delta Dental wants to help keep you informed on how these changes might affect your practice. Colorado opted to create its own state exchange — called Connect for Health Colorado — instead of sending people to the federal exchange. Beginning in October of this year, individuals and small businesses will be able to virtually shop for their benefits through this marketplace. Coverage will take effect on January 1, 2014. Delta Dental is continuing to work with Connect for Health Colorado to determine what plans we will be offering through the exchange. Those going through the exchange will be able to search for plans based on what’s important to them — price, benefits or a specific provider or location.

If you have any questions regarding this process, we encourage you to go to connectforhealthco.com for detailed and updated information. You may also want to check deltadentalco.com under the Providers tab periodically as the exchange approaches for more information on how dental benefits are being sold on the exchange and how this may impact you.

connect for HealtH coloraDoHealth Insurance Exchange Updates

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Delta Dental’s new mobile application for Apple and Android products will be hitting the market in early July, so be on the lookout for it! We’ll send you more information once it is available so you can show your patients how easy it is to search

for a specialist, find out about their dental benefits, inquire about their claims status and use their ID card right from their smartphone. The app will even include a handy toothbrush timer!

Delta Dental in your PocketNew Mobile App Coming Soon

As we’re all aware, the world of dentistry is changing rapidly. Delta Dental of Colorado wants to understand how local dentists are thinking about the future and what changes they are making to prepare. To gain these insights, we will be conducting a provider satisfaction survey with a randomly chosen sample of DDCO providers in June and July of this year. The results will be shared with all participating dentists, so you can get a sense of what your peers are thinking.

As always, the main goal of this survey is to understand how we are doing and what we can do to better serve you in the future. We, too, are making many changes, and we want to know your reactions to those as well.

Many of our changes over the past few years involved the increased use of technology, and as such, we are encouraging dentists to complete this year’s satisfaction survey online. You may receive a survey invitation from HealthCare Research, an independent third-party research firm we have hired to conduct this research, with more

information on completing the questionnaire. We encourage you to share your opinion.

We conducted the survey last in 2010. At that time, you told us you wanted improved access to information about claims submission on our website, an enhanced automated call center to get benefit eligibility information and access to our Maximum Plan Allowance fee schedule. We took those comments to heart. We redesigned our website to contain more robust information, enhanced the functionality of our automated call center and posted our MPA fee schedule.

Thank you in advance for participating in this year’s survey. We look forward to hearing your thoughts about the future as well as your thoughts about our performance.

ProViDer satisfaction surVeyTell Us What’s On Your Mind

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Claims sent with unnecessary attachments continue to be one of the main contributors to claims processing delays and denials. Delta Dental of Colorado requests that you DO NOT send X-rays with a paper claim unless requested. This can slow down the processing of your claim. Paper claims are run through a scanner, and the X-rays are separated from the paper claim and discarded.

To check if a claim requires any attachments, log in on the Providers portal at deltadentalco.com. Click on the Pending claims tab and look under action needed. If it says yes, click on the claim number to see what is being requested, print the Claim Status Request and mail that report to DDCO with the requested documents.

subMitting claiMs witH attacHMentsUnneccessary Attachments Can Cause Delays

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Most people want great oral health, but many don’t know how to detect common risk factors and diseases. That’s why Delta Dental of Colorado is helping our members assess their risk for diseases and take steps to prevent or treat them. myDentalScore is an assessment tool that provides leading-edge technology to evaluate users’ oral health risk. By taking just a few minutes to answer some simple questions online, patients will receive an easy-to-understand oral health score that tells them exactly where they stand for risk of tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer. Once users have their score in hand, they can use myDentalScore to get valuable oral health advice and print out their report to take to their next dental examination. No personal health information (PHI) is ever revealed, and the survey can be taken anonymously.

This is a practical oral health and wellness risk-assessment tool that, with your guidance, can help your patients get a handle on their oral health. In fact, a recent study conducted by a leading consumer products company found that nearly every patient who took this survey and received guidance based on their risk level said they had acted on its recommendations.

Check out the tool yourself, so you are familiar with it when a patient brings you one. To get to myDentalScore on Delta Dental of Colorado’s website, go to deltadentalco.com and click on Delta Dental risk assessment tool in the bottom right corner. What’s your score?

MyDentalscore Online Tool Helps Patients Determine Oral Health Risk

These days, it seems like everyone has a Facebook page or Twitter account. Social media is a great opportunity for you to connect with your patients and promote good oral health. But to be successful, you need to think beyond “build it and they will come.” Delta Dental of Colorado has a dedicated social media team that uses a variety of social media outlets and websites to engage our subscribers, brokers, groups, dentists and consumers. We’ve provided some Delta Dental resources that you can reuse content from or use as inspiration for your own social media efforts:

facebook.com/DeltaDentalcoLearn about what’s happening at Delta Dental of Colorado and fun facts about oral health.

twitter.com/DeltaDentalcoDaily tips for maintaining a healthy smile and mouth.

blog (deltadentalcoblog.com)Articles on dental health are published twice a week.

Pinterest.com/DeltaDentalcoLinks to articles on oral health, fun crafts to do with kids and healthy recipes. In addition, Delta Dental of Colorado would be happy to provide images of the infographics we create so you can print them and hand them out at your offices. Simply email lmartinez@ddpco.com if you need any resources or have any questions.

get socialSocial Media Resources for Your Practice

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Healthy communities are strong, successful communities. Unfortunately, many of our children in Colorado suffer unnecessarily from painful tooth decay, hurting their academic futures and overall health.

Governor John Hickenlooper has highlighted oral health as one of our state’s ten Winnable Battles. With your help, we can eradicate childhood tooth decay in Colorado. Through a public awareness campaign, the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation is educating families about important dental health behaviors and changing attitudes.

The Brush With Me campaign is a multi-year advertising, public relations and grassroots outreach effort focused on helping parents understand the importance of brushing their teeth with their children and putting only water in sippy cups. Research gathered by the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation found that parents who take care of their own oral health also take care of their children’s oral health. This campaign encourages parents to develop the tradition of brushing their

teeth with their children. Thank you for your work reinforcing these messages with your patients. You may want to share the Brush With Me website, brushwithMe.com, with your patients who have young children. It’s a fun way for kids and parents to learn more about this initiative and provides them with great tips and resources.

Thanks to the partners who have joined with Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation in this effort, including Cavity Free at Three, Children’s Museum of Denver and LiveWell Colorado.

brusH witH Me!Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation Launches New Campaign

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Delta Dental of Colorado is building a brighter future for our subscribers, and we want to share with you how we’ve been doing that over the past year. Go online to deltadentalco.com/ar2012 to read our 2012 annual report.

a year in reViewDelta Dental of Colorado’s 2012 Annual Report Available Online

Delta Dental of Colorado’s mission is to improve the oral health of the communities we serve. To that end, we created the Delta Dental of Colorado Fund to help low-income Coloradans get the dental care they need. We have funds available now for patients who need treatment and cannot afford it.

There are two programs that can provide assistance. The first is for DDCO-insured individuals who need help with copays and/or have reached their annual maximum and meet the income qualifications. The DDCO Fund will pay up to $1,000 for dental treatment. Patients must provide documentation of income to qualify.

The second program is for children enrolled in the Child Health Plan Plus program. It is available to children enrolled in CHP+ who have met their annual dental benefit maximum ($600) but need additional

treatment. Once accepted, the child will qualify for additional coverage up to $1,000.

You are the key to helping a patient in need get necessary treatment! If you have a patient who might benefit from this program, your office should submit a Pre-Determined Benefit Voucher for treatment on behalf of the patient. If you have questions about this program, please call us at

720-489-4713 or visit deltadentalco.com/DDco-fund.aspx.

Dental care assistanceDelta Dental of Colorado Fund Helps Patients in Need

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Delta Dental of Colorado offers free educational seminars and CPR classes to participating dentists and their office staff. Dental office staff seminars provide timely information about what’s new at Delta Dental of Colorado. Space is limited and registration is required.

RSVP for classes and seminars at least ten days prior by calling 303-889-8677 or by completing the CPR/Seminar registration form found atddpco.com/events.aspx.

2013 classes anD seMinarsJoin Us for a Free Delta Dental Educational Seminar or CPR Class Near You

seminar and class scheduleDelta Dental of Colorado educational seminars take place on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon; CPR classes are held from 1 to 4 p.m. If attending a CPR class and seminar on the same day, please note they are held at the same location.

eDucational seMinars (9 a.m.–noon) cPr classes (1–4 p.m.)

Date location Date location

Aug. 9Boulder Inn, Boulder770 28th Street

Aug. 9Boulder Inn, Boulder770 28th Street

Aug. 16Delta Dental of Colorado, Denver4582 South Ulster Street, Suite 800

Sep. 6Residence Inn Marriott, Grand Junction767 Horizon Drive

Sep. 6Residence Inn Marriott, Grand Junction767 Horizon Drive

Oct. 4Cambria Suites, Fort Collins2921 East Harmony Road

Oct. 4Cambria Suites, Fort Collins2921 East Harmony Road

Oct. 18Delta Dental of Colorado, Denver4582 South Ulster Street, Suite 800

ortHo-focuseD seMinar (1–4 p.m.)

Dec. 6Delta Dental of Colorado, Denver4582 South Ulster Street, Suite 800Nov. 8

Delta Dental of Colorado, Denver4582 South Ulster Street, Suite 800

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arVaDaDr. Wameedh Abdulameer Prem/PPODr. Alton Bishop PremDr. David Eaton PPO

auroraDr. Wameedh Abdulameer Prem/PPODr. Amir Dehghan Prem/PPODr. David Garlock (Ortho) PPODr. Dennis Holman Prem/PPODr. Ann Macri Prem/PPODr. Christopher Macri Prem/PPODr. Oahn Pham Prem/PPODr. Tanis Quinn (Ortho) PPODr. Devin Rentz Prem/PPODr. Robert Ryan (Oral) Prem/PPODr. Carlos Salas Prem/PPODr. Katherine Scholand Prem/PPO

boulDerDr. James Gerweck PPODr. Susan Kasper PremDr. Kristy Klemm PremDr. Jose Mena PremDr. Bramaramba Paimagham Prem

castle rockDr. Wameedh Abdulameer Prem/PPODr. Earl Dogion PPO

centennialDr. Tanis Quinn (Ortho) PPODr. Randall Russell (Oral) Prem/PPO

coloraDo sPrings Dr. Jess Adams Prem/PPODr. Bruce Barnes Prem/PPODr. James Bieneman Prem/PPODr. Tyler Boss (Endo) PremDr. Victor Bradford Prem/PPODr. Joel Chavez Prem/PPODr. Trung Dang Prem/PPODr. Norman Farrar Prem/PPODr. Marina Funtik (Prosth) PremDr. James Kuhar Prem/PPODr. Daniel Lamb PPODr. Richard Leensvaart Prem/PPODr. Paul Lombardi Prem/PPODr. Thomas Plamondon PPODr. Mary Purinsh PPODr. Tanis Quinn (Ortho) PPODr. Naomi Sever Prem/PPODr. Christine Shook Prem/PPODr. Bangorn Terry (Ortho) Prem/PPODr. Kirsten Ziuchovski Prem/PPO

craigDr. Dana Fujita PremDr. Molly Smith Prem

DenVerDr. Jonathan Boynton (Perio) PremDr. Amir Dehghan Prem/PPODr. Jean Felton (Pedo) Prem/PPODr. Anupama Patel PremDr. W Scott Spanjer PPO

Delta Dental’s networks keeP growingDelta Dental of Colorado Welcomes the Following New Dentists to Our Network

Prem = Dentists who have recently joined the Delta Dental Premier® networkPPo = Dentists who have recently joined the Delta Dental PPOSM networkPrem / PPo = Dentists who have recently joined the Delta Dental Premier and Delta Dental PPO networks

Specialties are noted in parentheses when applicable.

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DiViDeDr. Victor Bradford Prem/PPODr. Paul Lombardi Prem/PPO

DoVe creekDr. Dustin Patrick Prem/PPO

DurangoDr. Chris Wenburg Prem

eDwarDsDr. Alton Bishop Prem

englewooDDr. Laura Ellefson Prem/PPO

falconDr. Paul Dodsworth PPO

fort collinsDr. Todd Barker PremDr. Alan Bernbaum Prem/PPODr. Dennis Seager (Ortho) PremDr. Symon Stanley Prem/PPODr. Greg Stoll (Ortho) Prem

fountainDr. Jess Adams Prem/PPODr. Victor Bradford Prem/PPO

friscoDr. Alston Bishop Prem

granD JunctionDr. Kathryn Hart (Pedo) Prem/PPODr. Thomas Lavery Prem/PPODr. Matthew Veenstra Prem/PPO

greeley Dr. Thaddeus Carter Prem/PPODr. Nicholas Gagner Prem/PPODr. Preston Karr Prem/PPODr. Craig Kindsfater Prem/PPODr. Edmund Monak (Pedo) Prem/PPODr. Dinorah Moya Prem/PPODr. Mesa Ulwelling Prem/PPODr. Matthew Whitesides Prem/PPODr. Terrancce Wolbaum Prem/PPO

greenwooD VillageDr. Hanh Phi Prem/PPO

HigHlanDs rancHDr. Wameedh Abdulameer Prem/PPO

lafayetteDr. Alton Bishop PremDr. Jonathan Boynton (Perio) Prem

lakewooDDr. Wameedh Abdulameer Prem/PPODr. Amir Dehghan Prem/PPODr. Bogdan Limpede Prem/PPO

laMarDr. Sonia Grewal Prem/PPODr. Salvador Ramirez Prem/PPO

littletonDr. Carlos Salas Prem/PPO

lone treeDr. Carlos Salas Prem/PPO

longMontDr. Michael Christopher PPODr. Kristy Klemm PremDr. Susan Kasper PremDr. Jose Mena PremDr. Bramaramba Paimagham Prem

louisVilleDr. Bramaramba Paimagham PremDr. Jose Mena PremDr. Kristy Klemm PremDr. Susan Kasper Prem

loVelanDDr. Ryan Bond PPODr. Nicholas Gagner Prem/PPODr. Norman Goding PPODr. Craig Kindsfater Prem/PPODr. Dinorah Moya Prem/PPODr. Eric Scottland Prem/PPO

MontroseDr. William Baminski Prem/PPODr. Sabrina Butler Prem/PPODr. Terry Bulter Prem/PPODr. Daniel Hatch PPODr. Brent Johnson Prem/PPO

PuebloDr. Tanis Quinn (Ortho) PPO

silVertHorne Dr. Todd Hill PPO

steaMboat sPringsDr. Dana Fujita PremDr. Sheena Schooch PremDr. Molly Smith Prem

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PrsrT sTDu.s. Postage

PaID Denver, Co

Permit no. 336Delta Dental of ColoradoPo Box 5468Denver, Colorado 80217-5468

How are we doing? Delta Dental Update is designed to provide useful information for providers and staff .

Please email your ideas, suggestions and comments to communications@ddpco.com.

find us on

www.deltadentalco.com

This issue marks the last paper issue of the Update from Delta Dental of Colorado. But the good news is that it will always be at your fingertips on deltadentalco.com/Providers. With our new electronic-only newsletter, you will get an email from us every quarter with a link to the current issue. If your email address is not accurate in our system, this is a great time to update it to ensure that you receive these emails. Delta Dental of Colorado is committed to going electronic to make our processes more efficient and the information you need more accessible.

tHe Update is going DigitalGet All the Latest from Delta Dental of Colorado Online