Medical Insurance For The Dental Office

Ms. Angela KowaleskiInsurance & Medical Treatment Coordinator

Medical Insurance v. Dental Insurance Medical Insurance Terminology Basics of Submitting Medical Insurance Medical Insurance Plans Reference Materials & Tools Practice Management Question & Answer Nierman Dental Writer ™ CrossCode™

Software

Goals

For many physicians and some dentists insurance claims are a major source of

income for services provided As more & more patients continue to

purchase their own medical or dental insurance they want to take advantage of

their benefits. Especially now with the high increase in premiums.

Although you may require payment at the time of service, insurance payments can

still play a vital role in your income

Fee For Service v. Insurance

Submitting Insurance Claims Correctly & Promptly Can Have

Quite An Impact On The Financial Success Of

Your Practice

-New Patient Evaluations -Oral Appliances

-Follow-Up Evaluations -Appliance Checks

-Tomograms -Injections

-Physical Therapy BioPak Diagnostics

What Procedures Can Be Billed?

Which patients require insurance verification?◦ Any new or existing patient with medical insurance that

you plan to treat medically When should the insurance be contacted?

◦ Before any initial treatment is done (for new patients before their first visit)

When should actual treatment be pre-certified?◦ After the patient has been seen and a treatment plan

has been established

Where Do You Start????Insurance Verification

Information should include:◦ Insurance Company◦ Subscribers employer that the insurance is

through◦ Subscribers name, date of birth and social

security number if possible◦ ID# now usually isn’t SS# do to HIPA regulations◦ Group number◦ Patient’s name, social security number and date

of birth if other than the subscriber◦ Member’s benefit telephone number.

Insurance Verification Process

Is this a network plan?◦ No can either mean it is a strict HMO or the patient

can see whomever they choose

Does the patient’s insurance have out of network benefits?

◦ If yes or their plan is not a network plan ask if there is a deductible and what percentage do they cover.

(Normally the deductible is $200-$1000 and percentages can be 80%/20% - 70%/30% - 80% and 70% being the insurance carries contribution and 20%-30% being the patient’s responsibility) Please remember the insurance pays the percentage of the UCR(usual and customary rate only).

When calling to verify medical insurance questions to ask:

Has any of the deductible been met this year?

Does the patient’s insurance require precertification for new patient evaluations?◦ If the insurance company asks why the patient is coming

don’t mention anything about TMJ just let them know the symptoms the patient is having such as headaches, ear pain, neck pain, ect.

◦ If they ask why a dentist is seeing the patient simply explain that your doctor evaluates upper quarter pain and/or headaches.

Do you accept assignment of benefits?

*This Is Important, this will tell you if the patient or the provider will receive the insurance check- This information can be found in block #12 and 13 of the HCFA form (SOF) can be placed on this line.)

At this time you may also ask specific coding “ Is it possible for you to tell me if a specific

code is a payable code? “

Example: Appliances (E0486, 21110) Tomograms (76100)

The insurance company will either tell you yes it is a covered procedure or it isn’t. If

they tell you yes, then ask is the code requires precertification. At this point you

should follow their specific filing instructions.

NEW PATIENT –PAIN or SLEEP- INITIAL PHONE CONTACT   NAME:___________________________________________________ DATE:___________________________   ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________________________   ______________________________________________________HOME PHONE:_________________________   PATIENT DATE OF BIRTH:______________________________WORKPHONE:_________________________   REFERRED BY:_________________________________________CELL PHONE:_________________________ HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION   PRIMARY INS. CO. NAME :______________________________PROVIDER PHONE #:___________________   SUBSCRIBERS NAME:______________________________________D.O.B:____________________________   ID/AGREEMENT #_____________________________________GR#___________________________________   SUBSCRIBERS EMPLOYER:________________________________RELATIONSHIP TO PATIENT:_________   ( CALL TO VERIFY COVERAGE, PRECERT IF NECESSARY AND DEDUCTIBLE INFO )   INSURANCE CONTACT NAME:_____________________________________DATE:_____________   IS THIS A NETWORK PLAN?:________HMO?_______OUT OF NETWORK BENEFITS?_________   WHAT IS THE PATIENT’S DEDUCTIBLE?___________________ANY MET YTD?______________   PERCENT OF PAYMENT:_______________IS PRECERT REQUIRED FOR XRAYS?:____________   DO YOU ACCEPT ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS?_________________________________________

AUTO OR WORKMANS COMPENSATION INFORMATION: CIRCLE: CHRONIC FALL ACCIDENT WORK. COMP. DATE OF ACCIDENT:__________   ATTY. NAME AND ADDRESS:_________________________________________________________________   AUTO INSURANCE NAME AND ADDRESS:______________________________________________________   ______________________________________________________PHONE:_______________________________   POLICY/CLAIM#:______________________________ADJUSTER NAME:______________________________   (CALL FOR INFO:) POLICY LIMIT________________________AMT. USED TO DATE__________________ INITIAL PHONE NOTES (PRESENT SYMPTOMS, PAST TX & DX, DURATION)   _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________   ____________________________________________________________________________________________   PREVIOUS APPLIANCES??____________________________________________________________________

Different Insurance Plans

COPAY & PCP: Immediately identifies a network plan. You must call to see if they have out of network benefits.

Co-pays DO NOT Apply In Your Office!! You Are Not In The Network

PPO: Preferred Provider Program Both indicatePOS: Point of Service Programs Network Plans

HMO: Health Maintenance OrganizationThis is a strict network plan. Benefits are only given to doctors within a network. Sometimes you can receive benefits if a patient has already seen doctors in the network with no success or if the network can’t provide a doctor within the network who provides a service that you can give to the patient. Normally the patient or patients PCP would have to request an out of network referral. These referrals can be very hard to come by.

Medicare: This card is issued by the government. Either through Social Security or Retirement. Note: Medicare is different from Medicaid!! You don’t have to be participating with Medicare for your patient to receive benefits but you would have to be in Medicaid to receive benefits.

This card doesn’t state that it is a network plan but you always call to verify benefits. This plan actually is a standard plan. The patient can see whomever they choose but they still have a deductible. But only one deductible. Whereas in a network plan they have two deductibles, an in-network deductible and out-of-network deductible

The major difference between submitting dental and medical procedures is mostly the coding.

Dental claims you submit your CDT codes

Medical claims you submit your CPT codes (medical procedure codes)

When submitting medical codes they have to include diagnosis codes (ICD)

This is the part that is very different from submitting your CDT codes which rarely ever need a narrative report attached or the reason why a service is

being done.

In the medical field it is required to give a reason why a medical procedure is being done. This is where the diagnosis code comes in (CDT).

Diagnosis codes were created by the medical community to cut down paper work for writing reports for the patient. So your CDT code is equivalent to your CPT code but your CPT code must also be attached to your diagnosis code.

Medical Insurance v. Dental Insurance

When submitting Dental Claims you are familiar with submitting Pre-D’s for your patients, with medical insurance it is now Pre-Certifications

Pre-D: Determines the exact dollar amount of a procedure

Pre-Certification: Simply states whether or not a procedure is medically necessary. It will not give a guaranteed benefit amount

Pre-Determination v.Pre-Certification

*VERY IMPORTANT*

Insurance plans that you are not a participating provider with will not give you the exact dollar benefit!!

They simply tell you: Yes this is a covered procedure or no this is not a

covered service.

Existing Dental Patients: Can easily become confused by this. They are familiar with receiving a pre-d from you with

their dental services where they know the exact dollar amount of reimbursement and what they are responsible

for.

You have to explain to them that the medical insurance has different filing procedures and protocols.

New Patients (Referred Patients): Are also accustomed to going to either their general physician and/or specialist where they only pay a co-pay or sometimes don’t pay anything at all.

Frustration of Patients

#1 Remember this is not your fault or the fault of the patient or in most cases not the fault of the insurance carrier either. Do not take offense when a patient says:

“Well then I will just see a doctor that is participating with my insurance.”

Explain to the patient: “Your insurance company doesn’t allow a dentist to participate in their medical program, however what we do in our office is more medical in nature and is submitted through the medical insurance.

(Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Government Plans)

What Can We Do????

Patient: “Well I do have dental insurance” Staff: “Unfortunately what we do in our

office doesn’t have anything to do with your dentition, and is a medical condition.”

We can however, if you don’t have any medical coverage we can submit your first visit through your dental insurance but it would take away from one of your other exams allowed during a calendar year. In some cases your dental plan will also cover a portion of appliances in our office if they are in your treatment plan. It will depend on what type of coverage you have.

Be aware that some dental plans are just the same as medical plans, PPO, Network & HMO. In some cases that patient will not have any insurance benefits at all in your office.

In these cases we offer one to two year interest free payment plans.

Care Credit

I highly recommend you have one!!

A delay in receiving payment from an insurance company is costly. Careful preparation of claims minimizes delays and returns of

insurance forms to the service provider or patient for additional information or corrections before claims are paid.

There are several types of major insurance claim filing forms: 

◦ Health Insurance Claim Form (HCFA)◦ Superbill◦ Physician’s Report (Workers’ Compensation Form)◦ Attending Doctors Statement

 

If you have the capability of using a HCFA form this is the most acceptable method of filing

claims. 

Submitting Acceptable Forms

Diagnosis is not stated Diagnosis and treatment appear unrelated Improper codes are used Fees are not listed accurately or completely Patient or the insured individual is not

properly identified Insured or the provider does not sign the

claim form Pre-certification was not obtained

Reasons Why Insurance Companies Delay Payment

Incomplete information regarding other insurance coverage

Improper typing alignment (not inside the box) Blanks are left unanswered Provider Numbers (NPI, Provider) Not Entered Diagnosis Code Is Unspecified:

◦ Example: 729.1 Myalgia & Myositis (Muscle Pain) 716.8 Osteoarthritis

These codes do not state the area of the diagnosis

Use processed paid claims as a ground stone Always get the name of whom you verified or

precertified treatment with from the insurance

If possible try to establish a relationship with a specific claim adjuster who can help you with your claims

No matter how treatment will be paid, establish a financial plan with every patient

Don’t get frustrated, be persistent, a denied claim should always be followed up on

Important Coding & Submission Tips

Always submit insurance for every patient regardless of benefits and eligibility

Evaluate your fees yearly to determine which fees need to be increased or decreased

Every year check all codes you have previously used. (Codes can also change in the middle of the year)

Keep track of your patients, establish a recall system

Every state has their own Medicare System As a provider you are allowed to log onto

their website and find their UCR (usual and customary rate)

Some sites you just indicate that you are a provider and then you have to find the area that states Fee Schedule

You are able to see all current CPT codes and the allowable amount that they pay

This helps you give the patient an idea of what the insurance company

might pay for

What is the UCR in your area??

Searching Criteria Year 2010 HCPC 21110 Modifier Global (Diagnostic Service) OR

Physicians Professional Service where Professional/Technical concept does not apply.

21110      Interdental fixation $664.43

CMS Highmark Medicare 

Accept assignment: Provider of the service agrees to accept payments in full from the carrier and collect only the amount approved by the carrier.

  Adjustment: A change in a charged fee; for example,

to reduce a fee because of a professional courtesy discount.

  Assignment of Benefits: An agreement signed

by the insured authorizing the benefits to be transferred to another physician or health care provider.

Attending physician: The physician who is treating the patient or responsible for the patient’s care.

Common Insurance Terms

Authorization to Release Information: Signed permission by the patient authorizing the physician to release privilege information.

Carrier: An insurance company that underwrites the insurance coverage ; for example General Insurance Company.

Claim form: The form or billing which is sent to the insurance company for processing.

Claimant: The individual making the request to receive the benefits as outlined in the insurance policy.

Coordination of Benefits: When covered by more than one insurance carrier, the primary carrier takes into consideration the responsibility of the other carrier prior to determining its own liability.

Copayment/co-pay: The specific amount that must be paid by the insured toward the professional service rendered.

Deductible: The specific amount that must be paid by the insured toward the professional service rendered.

Disability: Inability to perform the patient’s work because of an illness or injury.

DNA: Does not apply.

Explanation of Benefits: An explanation of how the claim settled. This is usually sent at the time of reimbursement.

  Fee-for-service: The method of billing by physicians or

dentists for each professional service performed.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): A medical organization or group of physicians and

hospitals who agree to provide health care services to members for a specific prepaid fee.

Major Medical: Insurance policy covering catastrophic or prolonged medical care.

  Primary Physician: For HMO’s this means the

physician who has been designated as your main health care provider.

  Prior Authorization: A procedure where the

provider submits to the insurance carrier or agency a treatment provider plan before the treatment is received.

Provider Identification: A code or number series issued to the health care provider.

Service Provider: An individual or organization who provides the heath care services.

  Subscriber: An enrolled member of a health care

coverage plan. Also called policyholder, insured, enrollee, or certificate holder.

Superbill: A patient charge slip, usually with itemization of procedures plus the fee for each of those services.

  UCR (Usual & Customary Rate): A system used to

decide benefits based upon physicians prevailing fee for the locality, specialty, and service.

What if a claim was denied stating treatment was done by a dentist?

The laws of this state do not allow a claim to be denied based on a practitioners license, if the procedures preformed are within the

scope of the practitioners license. Treatment of head and jaw disorders are

within the scope of a dentist’s license and involves treatment of bone, cartilage, ligaments and muscles and should be

handled as medically necessary treatment by insurers.

F.A.Q.’s

What if a patients insurance denied benefits stating no out-of-network coverage???

This shouldn’t happen if you followed the proper insurance verification procedures. You would have already known that there

was no coverage. Also the same for denial of appliance (not covered in policy)

You should also never get a denial back stating that precertification was not

approved. Sleep appliances almost in all cases

need pre-cert!!

Can my patient get an out-of-network referral?

In many cases a patient would have to see at least one doctor in the network first w/out any

success. If the network can’t find a doctor within their network performing the same

services it is possible. Normally a patient would have to try to get this from the insurance

company. A patient normally will tell you that you have to get this for them. *Remember:

The patient has the contract with the insurance company not you. They don’t care if you are

paid but want to make their patient/client happy.

When you file insurance to cover the cost of an oral airway device, file under medical insurance not dental insurance. Oral appliances may fall under the normal benefits of the insurance policy. If this is not the case, ask if oral appliances are covered under the category of durable medical equipment and prostheses. Be sure to tell the claims personnel that you have a CPT and ICD-9 code, this will speed up the approval process.

  Prior to starting treatment, the patient may wish to

have a pre-certification of benefits letter sent to the insurance company to document their insurance coverage in writing.

Submitting Insurance For An Oral Sleep Apnea Appliance

In addition to the letter, the following information should also be included:

  Polysomnogram results confirming diagnosis of OSA Sleep medicine physician’s office notes confirming the treatment

plan The dentist’s progress notes from the initial office visit

Most insurance carriers will reply by fax or mail within 2-4 weeks, unless the case is sent to a medical reviewer determination. Then it could be up to 8 weeks to receive a reply.

 Note: Many medical insurance carriers require that patient’s with

moderate to severe OSA have a trial of nasal CPAP prior to considering any other treatment. Coverage for oral appliance therapy may be considered if the patient is intolerant of nasal CPAP. Some insurance carriers may not require a trial of nasal CPAP prior to authorizing coverage for oral appliance therapy if the patient has mild obstructive sleep apnea.

Date   Insurance Company  

Re: Robert _________ ID# QAF181038987908655   To Whom It May Concern:

Robert ________ is a 45-year-old male referred by Dr. Ross Futerfas to determine her candidacy for oral device therapy related to sleep disordered breathing. Mr. _______ underwent a sleep study ordered by Dr. Futerfas his pulmonary specialist. Results indicated a diagnosis of moderate to severe sleep apnea with a RDI of 53. The patient’s chief complaints include chronic fatigue and poor sleep. Patient also reports headaches, loud and irregular snoring, and daytime sleepiness.

  Mr. ______’s treatment plan includes placement of an intraoral appliance (mandibular repositioning device) to manage her sleep

apnea and snoring. This approach to therapy for obstructive sleep apnea has been increasing in usage since the late 1980’s because of its observed effectiveness in the treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and primary snoring. The appliance consists of a full soft upper and lower arch which is titratable to advance the mandible. This appliance causes mandibular advancement and muscular tone alterations which result in an increase of the oropharynx and hypopharynx laterally. Controlled studies have demonstrated a significant reduction of hypopnea apnea episodes and near 100% elimination of primary snoring.

  The lifetime expectancy of this appliance if worn everyday is estimated at five to ten years. The lining of the appliance should last

12-17 months which is then replaced. The cost of the appliance is $1500 as indicated on the enclosed claim form.   If you have any questions regarding Mr. _______’s condition please feel free to contact me at (610) 435-6724. If you need additional

information about dental appliance therapy for sleep apnea and snoring you may contact the Sleep Disorder Dental Society at (412) 935-0836.

  Sincerely,   Dr. Barry Glassman Enc. BG:alk

Sample Pre-Treatment Letter For Oral Appliance Therapy

To: Allentown Pain Center Dr. Barry Glassman   Re:____________________________________   I am writing to inform you that it is medically necessary for the above named patient to be fitted for an oral sleep

appliance.     __________________________ was diagnosed with ICD-Code 327.23_______mild, _______ moderate, ________ severe

Obstructive Sleep Apnea.   _______I have enclosed a copy of the sleep study for your records. _______There was no sleep study performed.   The patient was/ was not fitted with a CPAP machine at the time.   _______The patient is unable to tolerate the CPAP machine. _______The patient is not in need of a CPAP machine. _______The patient has refused to wear the CPAP machine. _______The patient requires the oral appliance and the CPAP machine as a form of treatment.     Again, due to the diagnosis of his/her sleep apnea it is medically necessary for him to be fitted for an oral sleep

appliance.   If you need any further information or if I could be of further assistance please feel free to contact me.   Sincerely,   ___________________________________

Sample Prescription For Oral Appliance Therapy

It is possible to reverse a denial of benefits for oral appliance therapy if the patient’s policy does not specifically exclude oral appliance therapy. The appeal should be focused on the medical necessity of oral appliance therapy for treatment of the patient’s obstructive sleep apnea condition and the research supporting the effectiveness of this treatment. However, it is the patient’s responsibility to appeal the denial of benefits. Therefore, it is recommended that the dentist offer to send the patient a sample appeal letter that they can customize and submit to the insurance carrier. It is also recommended that the patient include copies of:

  Polysomnogram results Sleep medicine physician’s office notes and letters Dentist’s progress notes Description of Thornton Adjustable Appliance for treatment of

OSA

Appealing A Denial Of Benefits

March 12, 2003   Pennsylvania Blue Cross Po Box 890062 Camp Hill, Pa 17089   To Whom It May Concern:   My name is Angela ______ and my identification number is QAC197958789024. I have seen a

sleep doctor, Dr. William Pistone for a consultation and treatment for my sleepiness during the day and snoring. Dr. Pistone sent me for a sleep study that confirmed my ___________ (mild/moderate/severe) sleep apnea condition. I have tried the CPAP machine but I have not been able to tolerate it because of the many side effects.

  I am still waking in the morning very tired and have difficulty concentrating and staying alert

during the day. Dr. Pistone feels that I should find a new avenue of treatment for my problem and he referred me to Dr. Barry Glassman for treatment with an oral sleep apnea appliance. I have included Dr. Glassman’s information along with this letter. I am having difficulty functioning during the day and need treatment for this problem. Please consider this treatment for coverage under my insurance plan, as I would like to receive treatment as soon as possible.

  Thank you for your prompt attention in this matter.   Sincerely,   Angela ___________

Sample Appeal Letter

CPT CODES *E0486 CLINICAL INDICATIONS FOR USE: DIAGNOSIS OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

The oral appliance is used to stabilize the airway in a patient with a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (cessation of breathing during sleep due to tissue blockage in airway) 327.23. Managing the airway through manipulation of the lower jaw is the easiest and most reliable way to keep the airway open in an unconscious or sleeping person.

  The oral appliance applies the same principle as that of CPR in keeping the airway open, the patient’s head is

rotated back, and the mandible is rotated closed and pushed forward. Once this position is achieved, it is far easier to move air through the airway. To achieve and hold the mandible in this same position, the oral appliance is fitted so that it locks on to the upper and lower teeth, holding the mandible closed and in a protruded position. This appliance is essentially a device that can manage the airway of an unconscious person without the assistance of a person actually holding the patients jaw forward.

  This mechanism is not a dental device, but rather a medical appliance used specifically to treat patients with

obstructive sleep apnea. Since it is small and easily customized in our office, it is far less expensive than either C-PAP or surgery, two alternative forms of treatment. It is also far easier for the patient to use, and it is portable (pocket or purse!), which increases the likelihood of routine use, thus improving the patients overall health due to more restful, productive sleep and a higher oxygen saturation of the blood. This is simply the least invasive, most cost effective form of treatment for this diagnosis at this time.

  The fee for this appliance is $1500. The fee does not include any treatment for teeth or gums. Depending on

how well the appliance is cared for; there is always the possibility of repairs (ranging from $65-$250) and even replacement.

  Dr. W. Keith Thornton * Oral Sleep Appliance Code We Use

DESCRIPTION OF AN ORAL AIRWAY DEVICE FOR TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP

APNEA (327.23, 780.53

Medical Procedure Codes for the Evaluation and Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Dental Appliances

  Medical Procedure Code (CPT#)

Procedure or Service Provided (including description)

Office visit for evaluation and management of a new Patient: 99201: Brief history, examination and consultation (patient presenting with problems of mild severity;

physician/dentist spends 10 minutes face-to-face with the patient and/or family). 99202: Limited history, examination and consultation (patient presenting with problems of mild to moderate

severity; physician/dentist spends 20 minutes face-to-face with the patient and/or family). 99203: Standard history, examination and consultation (patient presenting with problems of moderate severity;

physician/dentist spends 30 minutes face-to-face with the patient and/or family). 99204: Comprehensive history, examination and consultation (patient presenting with problems of moderate to

high severity; physician/dentist spends 45 minutes face-to-face with the patient and/or family). 99205: Comprehensive history, examination and consultation (patient presenting with problems of moderate to

high severity; physician/dentist spends 60 minutes face-to-face with the patient and/or family).

Reevaluation and management of an established Patient: 99212: Brief office visit (evaluation of progress-physician/dentist spends 10 minutes face-to face with the patient

and/or family). 99213: Limited office visit (evaluation of progress-physician/dentist spends 15 minutes face-to face with the

patient and/or family). 99214: Intermediate office visit (evaluation of progress-physician/dentist spends 25 minutes face-to-face with the

patient and/or family). 99215: Extended office visit (evaluation of progress-physician/dentist spends 40 minutes face-to-face with the

patient and/or family).                

Diagnostic Study Models 21079 Impression and custom preparation; interim obturator prosthesis 95999 Study Models

Intra-Oral Orthopedic Repositioning Cast 21110 Application of interdental fixation device for conditions other than fracture or dislocation (includes

removal) 21085 Oral Surgical Splint 21089 Unlisted oral appliance (Aqualizer)   Sleep Appliances E0486 Intra-Oral Airway Device

Injection Procedures 20550 Tendon Sheath or Ligament Injection 64450 Otic ganglion block 64505 Sphenopalatine block 64510 Submandibular ganglion block   Radiography 70100 Submental Vertex 70140 AP Townes 70360 Lateral Cephalogram 76100 Tomograms    

Miscellaneous CPT Codes for the TMD & Sleep

327.21 Primary central sleep apnea327.23 Obstructive Sleep Apnea

327.51 Periodic limb movement780.53 Sleep Apnea (with hypersomnia)

unspecified780.52 Insomnia, unspecified786.09 Primary Snoring780.57 Sleep apnea unspecified780.51 Sleep apnea (with insomnia) 780.79 Fatigue

Medical Diagnosis Codes For Sleep Disorders

Sample Obtained HMO Approval

Sample of BC/BS Approval

Sample of Third Party Approval

Sample of Agreed Contract With Network Plan

Marketing

The report that is generated for the patient is what I believe to be one of the most important benefits of the software. This is the best marketing tool I believe that you can have in your office.

When the patient fills out their initial history forms there is place for them to fill in all the health care

professionals they have seen regarding their symptoms as well as their primary doctor and

dentist. All of these health care professional are then added into the patients record and a letter

can be created for every one of the doctors.

As a dentist you may not normally send out letters to other dentists or doctors in regards

to your patient. However in the medical community this is the standard and is done

for every patient that a physician sees.

By sending these reports for your patients it elevates yourself to the levels of other

doctors and gives the foundation as a good referral source. It allows other doctors to

know exactly how you treat patients in your practice.

Our referral pattern

How Do I Begin To Establish New Patients ???

*Recognize within your own practice which of your existing patients have a sleep/tmd disorders

*Start by adding simple questions to your new patient questionnaire or patient medical update

forms to include the standard Epworth scale or tmd symptom questions

*Place brochures within your office that let your patients know you treat sleep and tmd

disorders*Introduce yourself to other physicians in your area,

ENT’s…Sleep Centers…ect.

Benefits of the DentalWriter Software Allows you to easily start the process of

expanding your general dental practice to incorporate new patients that require oral

appliance therapy for their sleep disorders

Submit medical claims for patient reimbursement

Immediately start communicating with the medical field to instantly build new patient

referrals

Gives you basic practice management tools to integrate into your dental sleep medicine

practice

How does the Software Work? How do we establish new referrals

from other doctors and sleep centers?

The DentalWriter itself in a whole is a major time saver from start to finish for both you and

your staff

Letters that are generated from this program establish a referral pattern from other medical doctors who will refer you new sleep patients

Provide your staff with necessary tools to begin implementing submission of medical claims

Letter Program To Start to Finish

This software allows you to log an initial contact with the patient

Send the patient history forms.

Print your exam forms

Enter all the information from the patient history forms as well as your exam, diagnostics, diagnosis and plan

to finally printing a report which includes all of the necessary information that is recognized by other

health care providers.

Report Format The actual report is formatted in a SOAP

format. S – Subjective Information

◦ Comes from history forms that the patient fills out O - Objective Information

◦ Comes from exam forms which also allows you input all of your diagnostic information

A – Assessment◦ Your diagnosis

P - Plan◦ Treatment Plan

Nierman Practice Management