May 13, 2020 | Issue 42
Delta Dental Introduces Reopening Support Payment
A new initiative introduced today is designed to help dental offices make facility and safety upgrades to safely reopen. The Delta Dental Reopening Support Payment will provide $10 for each claim submitted by dentists participating in the Premier, PPO, and Hawki networks for Delta Dental of Iowa members. They are working to finalize payment for DWP members. Out-of-Network providers are not eligible to receive this payment.
 
The support payment will:

  • Apply to services members receive between May 1 and August 31, 2020.
  • Apply to all claims and there is no need to submit separate claims for payment.
  • Begin making payments around June 15.
 
Please note, billing patients for infection control or PPE using the D1999 code is not a billable charge to the member or Delta Dental per the provider contract and member benefit certificates. 
 
For additional information, visit the  FAQ  on the Delta Dental of Iowa website, or contact their professional relations team via  email  or at 800.544.0718. 
CDC Director “Would Not Disagree” With ADA Guidance
When asked if dentists who are following ADA guidelines should be allowed to reopen, CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD, stated that he “would not disagree” with ADA guidance. This comment was made during yesterday’s Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions’ hearing,  COVID-19: Safely Getting Back to Work and Back to School . Last week the ADA sent a  letter  to the CDC director urging him to “quickly provide guidance” to safely reopen dental offices. During the hearing Director Redfield stated, “We are in the process of updating CDC guidelines, which will include dental practice guidelines.” For additional resources regarding COVID-19, visit the  IDA website .
DPS No Longer Selling Face Shields
As Dental Prosthetic Services (DPS) based in Cedar Rapids resumes their lab work and delivery services, they will no longer be producing face shields. If you have an outstanding order with DPS, you will still receive your face shield(s) as scheduled, but no new orders are being accepted at this time. DPS was able to utilize their resources to step in during this time of need and provide more than 1,000 face shields to Iowa dentists. Other sources for face shields and PPE/equipment are available on the IDA website.
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