IDA Update
 Are You Ready for the Amalgam Separator Rule?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulation on the use of amalgam separators will go into effect on July 14, 2020. By this date, most dental offices must have an ANSI compliant amalgam separator installed and in use.

If you have not already made arrangements to order and install an amalgam separator, we urge you to do so as quickly as possible. Though the regulation's deadline is not for another seven months, your office will need time to receive the separator, hire a plumber for installation, and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
Solmetex is IDA's official vendor partner for amalgam separators and supplies. To learn more about the Solmetex amalgam separator, visit the IDA website.
2020 Renewal is Here

When it comes to supporting the dental profession, providing valuable and exclusive member benefits, and advocating for dentists throughout the state and country, you can count on the Indiana Dental Association. We are your partner in practice, and we are fortunate to count you among our more than 3,000 Hoosier members. 

Renewing your dues is fast and easy. Just visit our renew page to get started. Thank you for your support of dentistry in Indiana!
Dr. Snyder Receives AGD Award

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recently held its House of Delegates meeting and presented the first national Outstanding DDS Volunteer award to Dr. Susan Snyder of the West Central Dental Society. Congratulations to Dr. Snyder on this much-deserved award.

You can also view a YouTube video of the award presentation.
Medicaid Updates
D9920 Guidance

By Dr. Leila Alter

In 2014, the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General advised Indiana Medicaid that more scrutiny was needed for D9920 Behavior Management. This code should be be used only for difficult patients or patients requiring extra time.

Providers billing D9920 need to document in the patient's chart: the child's behavior before and during the procedure, the type of behavior management utilized (e.g., extra time, protective stabilization, etc.), the type of protective stabilization used (staff restricting movement or a restrictive device), the duration of the stabilization, the reason if the parent was excluded from the treatment area, and identify staff that were assisting.

Additionally, informed consent must be obtained and documented in the patient's chart from the parent or legal guardian for protective stabilization. If D9230 (inhalation of nitrous oxide/analgesia, anxiolysis) or D9248 (non-intravenous conscious sedation) is used in conjunction with behavior management, this also will need to be documented. When submitting a Medicaid claim for D9920, providers should submit a one to two sentence narrative in Box 35 of the 2012 ADA claim form why behavior management was needed and the type of behavior management used.

CMS Provider Enrollment Application Fee and Dentists

On November 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the provider enrollment application fee will change for 2020. Please note that this fee does not apply to dentists. Dentists are classified as Type 27 and are therefore exempt from this fee.


SAVE THE DATE: Medicaid Workshop

Friday, November 13, 2020
ADA Half-Day Workshop: Being a Medicaid Provider in an Era of Accountability
IDA Office, 550 West North Street, Indianapolis

Despite misconceptions and fears associated with being a Medicaid provider, treating this population can be rewarding and not cut adversely into your bottom line. Members of the ADA’s Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention (CAAP) Medicaid Provider Advisory Committee will share insights, opportunities and challenges regarding program integrity, compliance, fraud, advocacy and how better to safeguard your practice while providing care to this growing population in an era of increasing accountability and scrutiny. Special emphasis will be given to the importance of proper documentation of medical necessity. Registration details will be available online at www.INDental.org/CE. Click the Live CE link for more information.

Donated Dental Services Holiday Raffle

Do you feel lucky? Perhaps you just want to support a great cause. Or maybe you are looking for the perfect holiday gift for family, friends or staff.

Earlier this week you should have received tickets for the Dental Lifeline Network - Donated Dental Services Holiday Raffle. The Grand Prize is $2,500. There are also prizes for Colts tickets, Notre Dame football tickets and IU basketball tickets. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser defray administrative expenses and coordinator costs for Indiana’s Donated Dental Services (DDS) program. 

If you would like to enroll as a volunteer dentist, visit www.dentallifeline.org/indiana and click “Volunteer.” If you wish to support the program by purchasing raffle tickets, please look for information in the mail. If you lost your tickets or need more, contact Doug Bush at doug@indental.org or any member of the DDS Board of Directors. 
 IDA Welcomes Component Executives

Wednesday, November 20, was the IDA Local Society Executive Directors Retreat. The IDA Central Office welcomed component executives Carolyn Hansen (IDDS), Jamee Lock (Isaac Knapp), Audrey Urbanczyk (West Central) and Laura Burton (North Central). Staff and visitors alike benefitted from the day's agenda, which included advocacy workshops, membership renewal tips, the CE process and more.
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IDA Joins ADA Practice Transitions Program

Indiana has joined five other states in the rollout of a new member service to assist with practice transitions. ADA Practice Transitions (ADAPT) can help you find a job, buy or sell a practice, or hire an associate. Rather than a broker-type service, a dedicated ADA Advisor guides you through each step and will only suggest dentists or practices that meet your criteria and share your approach to dentistry, setting you up for long-term success.

Click here to begin your free ADAPT profile.
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Send Your Award Nominations to IDA

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.

Visit our Awards page to learn more and to submit one or more nominations.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Indiana Dental Association! Our office will be closed next week, November 28 and 29, for the holiday weekend.
Organization Day

November 19 was Organization Day for the Indiana General Assembly. The big news was Speaker Brian Bosma’s announcement that he will step down from his position and not seek re-election in 2020. Add 10,000+ teachers protesting, and it made for a very notable day.

IDA has secured introduction of two measures, a senate bill seeking to adopt the ADA standard definition of dentistry, and a house bill authored by Rep Denny Zent clarifying dental auxiliary administration of nitrous oxide.

Remember we need Contact Dentists: If you are acquainted with your state legislator, please contact Director of Government Affairs Ed Popcheff at ed@indental.org, or use our convenient online Contact Dentist form.
IUSD Students Discuss Legislative Issues

Thirty dental students gathered on Monday, November 18, for this year’s first “Food for Thought” legislative forum. The students discussed mid-level providers, student loan forgiveness and licensure issues. At left, Dr. Tim Treat, 4th year student Nick Lynch, Dr. Mark Stetzel and Dr. Jill Burns participate in a panel discussion on dental licensure laws.
Why Dental Offices Should be Texting Patients

From IDA's vendor partner, ProSites:

On average, a person checks their phone every 12 minutes(!), making text messages a great way to instantly get in contact with your patients. In fact, text messages see quicker response times and higher response rates than sending emails or phone calls. By sending patients a text message and communicating with them in the ways they prefer most, you can improve response rates, reduce no-shows and improve overall profitability.

It’s much easier for patients to respond to a text during a meeting, in the car, on the go and while multitasking vs. answering a phone call or email. That’s why practices who want to stay up-to-date and ahead of the competition are learning how to effectively text with patients to remind them of upcoming appointments and other time-sensitive updates.