Welcome to the inaugural Delta Dental of Colorado Update: DSO Edition! We're excited to be able to bring you a quarterly newsletter geared to the needs of our DSO partners with information such as DDCO operational news/information, training, claims submission tips and tricks, relevant industry news, and more. If you have ideas for other things you'd like to see in the newsletter, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for your continued partnership with Delta Dental of Colorado. | |
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2024 Updates
As we approach 2024, we've updated several resources we think you'll find useful in the new year. These resources will also be available on our secure provider portal. To view these important documents, go to our website, click on Sign in/Register, select Provider from the dropdown menu, log into your account, and click on the Documents tab.
- Provider Handbook
- The updated 2024 provider handbook will be available on the secure provider portal starting January 1, 2024.
- 2024 Fee Schedules
- The updated 2024 fee schedules will be available on the secure provider portal starting mid-December.
- 2024 Code Updates
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The American Dental Association (ADA) codes in the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT) have been updated and are available for 2024. There are 14 new codes and two revised codes. Click on the image below or go to deltadentalco.com and log into your secure provider account to view the code changes. Once you’ve logged in, click on the Documents tab, and look for the latest entries.
- CDT Code on Dental Procedure and Nomenclature
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Click here to download now
- A new, simplified annual attestation process for Delta Dental of Colorado Medicare Advantage Network providers is coming in early 2024. Details to come soon.
If you have any questions, please contact provider relations at [email protected] or 303-889-8677.
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ADA New Dental Claim Form
Starting on January 1, 2024, the American Dental Association (ADA) will require the use of a new dental claim form. Updates have been made based on feedback and suggestions for a smoother and improved process. The changes address topics such as "Locum tenens" dentists, last scaling and root planning date, and space for payer ID. To learn more about these changes, click here.
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2024 Processing Guideline Changes
A policy change is coming in 2024 for the way we bundle X-rays. We will no longer be bundling pano X-rays (D0330) with other films (BWX or PA) to alternate to a full-mouth series (D0210). Starting January 1, 2024, any pano submitted with other films will be considered and paid for separately and no longer bundled.
This new policy eliminates the inclusion of panoramic images in determining whether all images should be benefitted as an intraoral comprehensive series of images. If additional images are submitted with a panoramic image on the same date of service, then those fees would be governed by the current policy for multiple intraoral images. The current processing policy, which has been in place for many years, states that when a panoramic image and individual periapical or bitewings are done on the same date, DDCO will benefit it as a comprehensive series (FMX), and any charges in excess of the allowed fee for an FMX are not billable to the patient.
DDCO and other Delta Dental member companies have carefully evaluated the proposal and determined there were two compelling reasons for the change:
- Clinical concerns in combining extraoral and intraoral images for benefit purposes. A panoramic image is an extraoral image that is typically taken to monitor growth and development of the oral facial complex; however, bitewing and periapical images are intraoral and are generally taken for the diagnosis of caries and periodontal conditions.
- Combining these two types of images contradicts the nomenclature for the FMX: “intraoral-comprehensive series of radiographic images.” The new policy removes the panoramic image (extraoral image) as part of the bundling of intraoral images into a comprehensive series of radiographic images (D0210).
The table below provides several claim scenarios with the effective changes highlighted.
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Our Membership is Growing!
We're excited to welcome more than 185,000 CommonSpirit Health employees to Delta Dental of Colorado! We look forward to CommonSpirit Health employees and their families joining your roster of patients starting on January 1, 2024.
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Database Update
Delta Dental of Colorado's DSO information database now stores up to three email contacts. That means that you can now provide multiple emails to receive all important information sent from Delta Dental of Colorado.
In order to ensure that all important information and new content is reaching you, please provide us with an email or multiple emails that you check regularly and preferably emails that are not generic emails such as [email protected] or role-based emails such as [email protected]. Those email formats are frequently blocked by email platforms so delivery is often unsuccessful.
To submit or update your email contact(s), please contact your DDCO DSO manager with your updated emails or send an email to [email protected] with the emails you would like us to input in our DSO information database.
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Update on Medicare Advantage Network
As of January 1, 2023, Delta Dental of Colorado’s Medicare Advantage membership added a few thousand members in Colorado through our participation with Devoted Health’s Medicare Advantage plans. In 2024, only Delta Dental Medicare PPO™ providers will be reimbursed as in-network ONLY for Devoted Health members. This is different from 2023, when we reimbursed on the Delta Dental Premier® and PPO fee schedules. All providers other than Delta Dental Medicare PPO providers will be considered out of network for the Devoted Health Medicare Advantage network.
Kaiser Permanente and Denver Health Medicare Advantage plans will not be affected. Members can see providers in both the Delta Dental Medicare Advantage Premier and PPO networks. As always, any other providers will be considered out of network.
For questions regarding Devoted Health Medicare Advantage plans or network participation, please contact [email protected].
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Non-English Speaking Resources
Did you know that Delta Dental of Colorado offers access to Language Line’s interpretation services to providers who participate in the Delta Dental of Colorado network? Language Line assists providers to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and offers numerous interpretive services. It's very simple for your office to utilize this complimentary service.
For information on using Language Line, navigate to deltadentalco.com, select the Provider tab on the top green navigation, click on the Resources tab, scroll down to Non-English Speaking Resources, and click on Quick Reference Guide or Tutorial.
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Coming in early 2024: New, simplified annual attestation process for Medicare Advantage Network providers! Details to come soon. | |
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Rocky Mountain Dental Convention
Come see us at Booth #205 on January 18, 19, and 20 at the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention in Denver, Colorado.
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American Academy of Dental Group Practice
American Academy of Dental Group Practice (AADGP) in Las Vegas, Nevada. We would love to meet with you on January 31, February 1, or the morning of February 2. You're welcome to schedule a specific time to meet with us. Please contact your DSO account manager, Donna or Lyn.
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Meet the DSO Team
The Delta Dental of Colorado provider relations team has recently seen some changes, and we'd like you to meet and help us welcome our new team members.
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Angela Grover is DDCO's provider relations manager. She has been a registered dental hygienist since 1996. Most of her career has been in private practice, plus three years as a full-time faculty and program chair for a community college in Iowa. Outside of dentistry, Angela enjoys exploring the outdoors by hiking, kayaking, and walking her dogs Lola and Lucy. | |
Donna Phelps is a DSO account manager and has been in the dental field for 27 years. She was previously with DDCO for seven years as a provider relations representative and has recently rejoined the team. She has a broad background in Medicaid and Medicare Advantage and helped launch a DSO department at a national insurance payor. She also worked 13 years in orthodontic and pediatric dental practices. When she is not working, Donna enjoys being in the mountains, traveling, and reading.
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Lyn Hyatt is DDCO's newest DSO account manager. She has been in the dental industry since 1980 and has enjoyed many roles during the last 43 years. She began her career as a chair-side assistant and eventually moved into administration and management. Lyn has two sons who are the light of her life and she enjoys all that Colorado has to offer - hiking, camping, skiing, and so much more! | |
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Your DSO manager will be reaching out soon to set up individual meetings with you.
DSO Account Manager Contact Information
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Alpine Conference
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, said hello, and grabbed some free swag at the Alpine Conference, held in Beaver Creek in early November! We loved meeting everyone and seeing so many new faces. Delta Dental of Colorado will be joining a few more conferences in the next few months, so look out for more information on how to meet up with us and how you could win some swag.
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Congratulations to the Winner of the Alpine Conference Award
Last newsletter, we shared an opportunity for an entry fee scholarship to the Alpine Conference held in November. We wanted to shout out the winner of the Alpine Conference Award, Sarah Tanner, and thank everyone who participated! Sarah shared some kind words with us that we wanted to pass along to you.
"As a proud Delta Dental of Colorado independent dental hygienist (IDH) provider, I am honored to partner together in providing essential preventive dental care to our community and state along with DDCO. Through this collaboration, we strive to promote oral health and well-being by offering comprehensive dental hygiene services to patients. Our shared commitment to excellence ensures that individuals receive the highest quality care. I am grateful for the opportunity to work hand in hand with Delta Dental in making a positive impact on the oral health of our community across the state.
"Being announced as the recipient of the DDCO sponsorship for Colorado IDH fills me with immense humility and gratitude. I am truly honored to receive this recognition and support.
"As the owner and RDH of Luxury Tooth Booth Inc., this support will provide vital financial assistance for our business expenses and supplies. This sponsorship also ensures that my participation in key educational courses and the important General Assembly meeting, as a member of the Colorado Dental Hygiene Association, can take place without any financial strain.
"These are exciting times to start getting involved, I invite any RDH to become involved. Just come to the General Assembly and find out.
"I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the DDCO for their recognition and support, which will contribute to my professional growth and success in delivering exceptional dental hygiene services to our community, education, and involvement with my governing association. Thank you."
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DELTA DENTAL OF COLORADO FOUNDATION NEWS | |
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Advancing Oral Health Equity with Mission-Related Investments
For years, Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation (DDCOF) has been dedicated to achieving oral health equity in Colorado, primarily through capital grants. As the sole oral health-focused funder in the state, DDCOF has expanded its support beyond traditional grant-making by introducing mission-related investments (MRIs) in collaboration with community partners.
Known as the Oral Health Capital Loan Fund, these mission-related investments (MRIs) are managed in partnership with the Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF), a locally based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that prioritizes equitable access to capital. MRIs offer newfound flexibility to organizations providing essential oral health care to their communities, granting them access to vital financial support for their capital needs.
Read the full blog post.
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ADA Signs Joint Letter Urging Passage of CHIPP Act
ADA.org, November 10, 2023
The ADA and 187 other federal, state and local groups signed a joint letter to Congressional leadership in support of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Permanency Act, which would make the Children’s Health Insurance Program permanent.
READ MORE
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