IDA Update
IndianaMoM Is Here–There's Still Time to Join Us!

Most of the IDA staff are in Fort Wayne today helping to set up for IndianaMoM 2019. We're having a great time getting ready for an estimated 2,000 patients over the next two days.

If you're thinking of joining us as a volunteer, we welcome walk-in registrations. The event will be at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Join us and help Hoosiers in need!




New IDA Member Benefit: Discounts from The Dental Supply Company

IDA is delighted to announce its new partnership with The Dental Supply Company, which leverages association members’ buying power to deliver discounts.

Through TDSC's online shopping site, tdsc.com, many member dentists in other state associations have already started to save more than they pay in annual tripartite dues.

As an IDA member, this new partnership will allow you to benefit from exceptional savings
and free shipping on the expansive online catalog of supplies from authorized vendors.

You will be able to start shopping tdsc.com in June. In the meantime, we encourage you to gather your current invoices and submit them at tdsc.com/pricecompare to let the TDSC team do the work of comparing prices for you. Your custom price comparison will show product-by-product savings and streamline your shopping.

Congrats IUSD Class of 2019!

Congratulations to the IUSD Class of 2019, who graduated this weekend. We applaud your years of hard work, and we wish you all the best in your dental careers.


Dental Benefit Subcommittee Update

When a dental provider performs periodontal scaling and root planing (SRP) on all four quadrants during one visit, Delta Dental will request the amount time spent performing this procedure. They may also request a narrative as to why it was necessary to perform SRP on more than two quadrants during one visit as a part of its claim reimbursement review. For more information, email IDA's Director of Professional Services Ed Rosenbaum.
IDPAC Silent Auction

IDPAC, IDA's voice at the Indiana Statehouse, is seeking donated items for the Silent Auction at the Midwest Dental Assembly . Popular items in past auctions include wine, gift cards, packaged gourmet foods, and vacation packages for cabins or condos. However, any donated item is welcome. Email Laurie Campbell to inquire about a donation. You can also view and bid on auction items in advance of the event here .
2019 Legislative Session Wrap Up

The 2019 session of the Indiana General Assembly recently concluded. This budget session produced 293 new laws out of the 1,344 bills authored this year.

Indiana Donated Dental (Dental Lifeline Network) received $68,700 for the biennieum. A bill opposed by IDA that would have mandated electronic prescriptions failed to receive a hearing.

Two IDA-supported measures were introduced but failed to achieve passage: An increase in the tax on cigarettes and vaping products, and student loan forgiveness. A third IDA-supported measure, an enhanced definition of dentistry, was not introduced.

HEA 1569, introduced by IDA member Dr. Denny Zent, was passed. HEA 1569 removes a provision that requires a dental hygienist to obtain and maintain a national provider identifier number. It allows for the State Board of Dentistry to issue dental residency permits and dental faculty licenses. It also removes a provision that prohibits an Indiana dental school from having more than 10 percent of its full-time faculty licensed with an instructor's license

There was positive news in the Dental Medicaid front: HEA 1308 passed, which sets forth standards on all Medicaid recovery audits. Also enacted was SEA 392, which charges the Medicaid Advisory Committee to make recommendations on Medicaid reimbursement levels to the Legislature prior to November 1, 2019. HEA 1546 specifies that after December 31, 2020, the prior authorization for health care services statute applies to the risk-based managed care Medicaid program and requires, after December 31, 2020, that a Medicaid managed care organization use a standardized prior authorization form prescribed by the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services.

Also passed was HEA 1548, which accomplishes the following:

  • Adds appointments by the Indiana Association of Health Plans and the Indiana Primary Care Association to the Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC).
  • Increases the membership of the committee by providing for the president pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to each appoint six members instead of one member.
  • Provides that three of the members appointed by the president pro tempore and three of the members appointed by the speaker shall serve on a standing fiscal subcommittee of the committee.
  • Requires that three of the members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and three of the members appointed by the president pro tempore be members of the minority party.
  • Requires the committee to create a standing fiscal subcommittee.
  • Provides that subcommittees of the committee may convene as often as needed. Requires the committee to review, study and make advisory recommendations by July 1, 2021

Look for a comprehensive update that will be available at the Midwest Dental Assembly at the IDPAC Silent Auction area. If you would like to volunteer as a legisative contact or just want to know more about advocacy, email Ed Popcheff.

For more information, see the following links:





NEW: IDA Employer Association

The Indiana Dental Association is pleased to announce the formation of the IDA Employer Association, Inc.

Independent dental practices continue to face significant challenges. The IDA believes that it is consistent with its mission to assist employer practices address these increasing demands:

1.   The costs of health information technology, including electronic health records, impose material burdens upon all employer practices.

2.   Insurance carrier intrusion can interfere with dentist/patient relationships and treatment decisions.

3.   The federal government does a poor job of explaining and assisting employer practices with reporting responsibilities. 

The IDA Employer Association will be open to any dental practice that is owned by or employs at least one dentist who is a member of the Indiana Dental Association. The Indiana Dental Association will work in tandem with the IDA Employer Association to progress the interests of Indiana employer practices. 

If your practice is interested in joining the IDA Employer Association, please contact Ashley Hudgins at IDAEmployer@INDental.org. 

The initial directors of the IDA Employer Association are Dr. Steve Ellinwood, Dr. David Holwager, Dr. Erik Zundo and Doug Bush. There is no additional cost to join the IDA Employer Association. 
Register for the Midwest Dental Assembly

The Midwest Dental Assembly is your chance to connect with fellow dentists and ignite your practice. Registrations are open, and the Advanced Registration deadline is May 30 .

To register online, visit www.indental.org/register. Bringing a team of three or more? Use the discount code TEAM during the online checkout process and receive 10 percent off the registration fees! This offer is valid through May 30 only.