IDA Update
Congressional Representatives Visit IDA

Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (IN-9) and Rep. Drew Ferguson (GA -3) visited the IDA Central Office earlier today for a roundtable meeting with IDA leaders and Indiana dentists. Rep. Ferguson is one of five dentists currently serving in Congress.

The group discussed several issues important to dentistry, including federal legislation to address insurance company overreach, including a repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act, which gives insurance companies an exemption from federal antitrust laws. The group also discussed rising student debt and the need for student loan forgiveness.

See more photos of Rep. Ferguson's visit on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Time is Running Out–Your Nominations Are Needed!

We all know someone who has done an outstanding job practicing, promoting or volunteering in the field of dentistry. Give your outstanding colleagues the professional boost they deserve by nominating them for the IDA Specialty Awards, with winners to be announced and honored at the Midwest Dental Assembly in June. The deadline for this year’s nominations is March 1.


 Join Us!

Dental Day at the Capitol

Monday, March 11, 2019

Medicaid Policy Updates

Medicaid can be a complicated, frustrating issue for dentists to navigate. Below are updates you need to know. Many thanks to Dr. Leila Alter, a member of the state's Medicaid Advisory Committee, for her input on these updates.

What is considered the source of truth when determining Medicaid eligibility?
For all Medicaid programs, including Traditional Medicaid (Fee-For-Service), Hoosier Healthwise, Hoosier Care Connect and HIP, member eligibility information obtained on the IHCP HealthCare Provider Portal is considered the source of truth. Your offices should be printing the eligibility report, taking a screenshot or documenting the Verification Response ID each time the member is seen for services. Please do not shred the eligibility reports or delete the screen shots or Verification Response ID after the claim is processed. If there would be an issue with retroactive eligibility, this would be needed to resolve the situation.
 
The benefit limitations that are available on the IHCP healthcare provider portal are only if the member had services completed as a Hoosier Healthwise member prior to January 1, 2017, or if they are a current Traditional (Fee-For-Service) member. Detailed service history is available on the DentaQuest, Envolve or Scion (CareSource) web portals for services that were completed for Hoosier Healthwise (starting January 1, 2017), Hoosier Care Connect or for HIP members.
 
How long should patient records be kept?
Patient records should be kept for seven years. As a reminder, all patient chart entries should be signed by the provider that rendered the service and services that were rendered by expanded duty assistants and hygienists should also be clearly identified in the chart record as well. For offices that use electronic chart records or paper charts, entries made by staff should be reviewed by the treating dentist for accuracy.

Encred Status and Provider Revalidation
Currently, providers need to enroll with IHCP and then credential/contract with each of the dental administrators (CareSource, DentaQuest and Envolve). As of July 1, 2019, this process will be consolidated through a new process called Encred. Providers will still need to contract with each dental administrator (CareSource, DentaQuest and Envolve) that they choose to participate with, but will no longer need to credential with each entity. Providers will complete revalidation for all entities through Encred as well.

There are a number of dental providers that will need to revalidate with IHCP this year. If a yellow triangle caution sign is present in the left menu under Provider when you log into the IHCP Healthcare Provider portal, this means that you need to revalidate. Please check your mailing address that is listed in your Provider Profile to make sure your mailing address is correct, since providers needing to revalidate will have reminder letters sent as well. Providers that need to revalidate before July 1, 2019, can revalidate through the IHCP Healthcare Provider portal. This is substantially streamlined from the paper revalidation that providers previously used.
2019 IDA CE Catalog Now Available!

Everything you need to know about IDA's 2019 CE opportunities is on its way to your mailbox! IDA’s Excellence in Professional Development Committee and Subcommittees organized more than 100 hours of CE to offer members and their teams. Our CE opportunities are approved by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry and ADA CERP.

Our 2019 CE catalog includes all the sessions we have to offer, including the following:

  • Indiana's CE Requirements
  • OSHA/BLS
  • Center for Excellence
  • Ethics
  • HIPAA
  • Midwest Dental Assembly
  • E-Learning Series

Can't wait for your mail to arrive? Download a PDF version by clicking the image above or visiting the IDA website.
Update on CE Audits

During the week of February 4, Indiana's Professional Licensing Agency issued audit notices to dentists and dental hygienists for the licensing period of 2016-18.

If you received one of these notices, you will need to supply proof of your continuing education for 2016-18. Be sure to respond to the audit notice promptly, as fines for non-compliance are significant. Please contact IDA if you need certificates for IDA CE courses or activities for this time period.

The PLA is allowed by law to audit up to 10 percent of dentists each year.
Leadership Committee Invites Nominations

The IDA Leadership Committee invites applications or nominations for a number of ADA leadership opportunities. Interested individuals may email Executive Director Doug Bush for additional information about the positions or the application process. Applications or nominations are requested by March 15.

ADA Council Positions – The IDA shares certain ADA Council positions with the Ohio Dental Association. However, no positions rotate to Indiana in 2019.

ADA At-Large Positions – Other ADA leadership positions are “at large,” meaning any ADA member may apply for them. It is recommended that applications be channeled through the Leadership Committee to allow an opportunity for official IDA endorsement of the candidate. At-Large positions becoming available include:

  • Advisory Committee on Annual Meetings – This Committee is responsible for planning the ADA Annual Session (America’s Dental Meeting). The five-year term begins in September 2019.

  • Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition – This Commission is responsible for overseeing CERP, the ADA’s Continuing Education Recognition Program. The four-year term begins in September 2019.

  • Commission on Dental Accreditation – This Commission establishes and maintains standards for dental education programs. The member will be appointed by the 2019 ADA House for a four-year term that begins in October 2020.

  • Council on Members Insurance and Retirement Programs – This Council oversees ADA endorsed insurance and retirement programs. The three-year term begins in September 2019. 

  • Council on Scientific Affairs – This Commission follows emerging information on the science of dentistry and makes recommendations to ADA policymaking bodies. The four-year term begins in September 2019.

  • National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards – This Commission formulates and adopts procedures for recognizing dental specialties and specialty certifying boards. The four-year term begins in September 2019.
Get Involved! IDA Committee and Subcommittee Opportunities

In 2018, the IDA launched a new committee/subcommittee structure composed of smaller groups and shorter terms. The intent was to bring increased accountable and focus, while also creating an opportunity to new leaders with fresh ideas. The Nominating Subcommittee is seeking to fill several openings, with one or more vacancies on the following committees/subcommittees:

Professional Development and Planning Committee – The Committee has overall responsibility for professional development for our members. (one opening)

  • Academy Subcommittee – Responsible for planning and conducting the two annual CE programs of the “Center for Professional Excellence” (formally the IDA/IUSD Academy). (two openings)

Dental Practice Committee – Overall responsibility for helping dentists and dental practices succeed. (one opening)

  • Dental Education Subcommittee – Serves as a liaison to IUSD. (one opening)
  • Dental Benefits Subcommittee – Assists members with third-party payer issues. (one opening)
  • Medicaid Subcommittee – Develops IDA policies and recommendations regarding the dental Medicaid program. (one opening)
  • Peer Review Subcommittee – Oversees the IDA Peer Review program. (one opening)

Dental Public Health Committee – Responsible for improving the public health of Hoosiers. (one opening)

  • Drinks Destroy Teeth Subcommittee – Oversee and conduct a public information program regarding the harmful impact of soda and sports drinks. (three openings)

Communications Committee – Responsible for keeping members and the public informed about important dental issues. (four openings)

  • Website Subcommittee – Responsible for providing input and guidance on the maintenance and development of the IDA website. (four openings)
  • Editorial Subcommittee – Responsible for providing input and guidance on content for the quarterly Journal IDA. (three openings)

Membership Committee – Responsible for recruiting and retaining members. (one opening)

  • AIR Subcommittee – Responsible for overseeing the Indiana AIR leadership training program. (two openings)
  • Nominating Subcommittee – Responsible for recruiting and recommending members for committee/subcommittee appointments. (one opening)

Strategic Planning Committee – Responsible for developing and implementing the IDA Strategic Plan. (two openings)

Finance Committee – Responsible for monitoring IDA investments and developing the IDA Budget. (one opening)

Membership Insurance Committee – Responsible for monitoring IDA endorsed insurance programs. (four openings)

To apply for one of these positions, download and complete the Application Form. You can also contact Executive Director Doug Bush with questions about positions and duties.
Legislative Contacts Needed

The 2018 midterm elections created a larger turnover at the Indiana General Assembly. As a result, there are several legislators who serve on key committees who don’t have a contact dentist. If you know your newly-elected state legislator, please let us know. We need your help to give dentistry a voice at the state capitol.

Below are list of key committees and members who still need a contact dentist. To find your state legislators, visit the in.gov website. 

House Public Health
  • Representative Steven Davisson (District 73)
  • Representative Ryan Hatfield (District 77)
  • Representative Cindy Kirchhofer (District 89)
  • Representative Shane Lindauer (District 63)
  • Representative Ethan Manning (District 23)
  • Representative Robin Shackleford (District 98

Senate Health and Provider Services
  • Senator Justin Busch (Senate District 16)
  • Senator Ronald Grooms (Senate District 46)
  • Senator Eddie Melton (Senate District 3)
  • Senator Frank Mrvan (Senate District 1)

House Insurance Committee
  • Representative Bruce Borders (District 45)
  • Representative Chris Campbell (District 26)
  • Representative Chris Judy (District 83)
  • Representative Cindy Kirchhofer (District 89)

If you know any of these legislators, please go to the Contact Dentist page on our website, or email IDA Director of Government Affairs Ed Popcheff at ed@indental.org. 
Mental Health Symposium: Addressing the
Rising Mental Health Issues in Dentistry

Thursday, March 7
IUSD Room DS114

The symposium is free but registration
is required by Monday, March 4 . Call IDDS at
317-471-8131 or email info@indydentalsociety.org

Presented by Aspire Indiana
IUSD Faculty and Students Give Kids a Smile

IUSD provided more than 200 underserved children with free preventive dental services on Saturday, February 16. Dental school faculty and students provided free dental screenings, fluoride treatments and preventive oral health care. Children also received goodie bags with a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and oral hygiene instructions. Face painting, coloring and games entertained the entire family as well. 
“The high volume of patients participating in charitable events like Give Kids A Smile highlights a clear gap between those with and without access to oral health care,” said IU School of Dentistry alumnus Dr. Jeffrey Dalin, who graduated in 1980 and founded Give Kids A Smile in St. Louis, Mo., in 2002. “Oral health is an important indicator of a child’s overall health.” 

After Dr. Dalin founded Give Kids A Smile, the ADA Foundation launched the program nationally in 2003 as a way for dentists to join with others in the community to provide oral health care services to underserved children. The IUSD event is one of several happening across the state during February, which is also National Children’s Dental Health Month. Nationally, each year, about 350,000 to 400,000 children benefit from more than 1,500 events because of the efforts of 40,000 or more annual volunteers nationwide.
IndianaMoM Volunteers–Don't Forget to Register!

It's time to register as a volunteer for IndianaMoM on May 17 and 18 in Fort Wayne. Some key details to know about this year's event:

  • Organizers have arranged for blocks of rooms at area hotels. Click here to read more details.
  • Visit www.indianamom.org to register as a volunteer. If you have volunteered for IndianaMoM in the past you will already have an account in the volunteer registration system, so there's no need to create a new registration. However, you must log back in to your account to enter your 2019 shift preferences and to update your t-shirt size, vaccination records and license number.