IDA UPDATE
Indiana Dental Association | March 2022
In This Issue

  • Governor Holcomb Signs Insurance Reform Bill
  • IDA Insurance Trust: Bill.com Setup
  • IDA Committees, Subcommittees Seeking Members
  • Gain Leadership Skills Through AIR
  • Pathway to Health Seeking Volunteers for April Event
  • Health Professions Scholarship Accepting Applications
  • Free Webinar on Barriers for Individuals with Disabilities
  • Registration Open for MDA, Center for Excellence
  • IDPAC Seeking Donations of Wine, Silent Auction Items
Upcoming Events

E-Learning Series: Best Practices: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Thursday, April 7, noon

Spring Board of Trustees Meeting
Saturday, April 9, 9 a.m., Fort Wayne

IDA Center for Excellence
Friday, April 29, all day

E-Learning Series: Yes You Can! Oral Surgery
Thursday, May 5, noon
Governor Holcomb Signs Insurance Reform Bill
Last week, Governor Eric Holcomb signed Senate Bill 136 into law. Senate Bill 136 prohibits insurance companies from dictating fees on services not covered under their plans.

Dental insurance companies setting the fee for services not covered under their plans is fundamentally unfair and interferes with the patient-dentist relationship. This is dentistry's second insurance reform victory in as many years. In 2021, the General Assembly passed legislation requiring insurance companies to offer dentists an alternative to Virtual Credit Card claims payments.
 
These legislative victories would not have been possible without the overwhelming response legislators received from our members. It is through your membership and support of IDPAC that we were able to achieve these legislative successes.
Update on CSR Addresses, License Renewal Deadline
The license renewal deadline for dentists and hygienists was March 1. All licensed dental professionals should have renewed their licenses by this date, and dentists are also responsible for ensuring that any hygienists who work in their practice are fully licensed.

To check a license renewal status, visit the Professional Licensing Agency's website and enter a name or license number. Click on the licensee's name and verify that the license expiration date reads 3-1-2024.

If you have a CSR and need to update your address or other personal information, note that this cannot be done online. CSR holders should email their updated contact details to pla8@pla.in.gov. Due to the high volume of applications and emails, it is taking PLA more time to process all applications, correspondence and responses.
IDA Insurance Trust: Bill.com Setup
The IDA Insurance Trust has enhanced invoice and payment services to all IDA Insurance Trust members.

This new service provides members with payment flexibility and allows them to set up automatic payments. It also lowers administration costs, allowing more premium dollars to be used for member benefits.

To learn more about how to set up your bill.com payments, view the video linked below.

If you have any questions, please call 800-417-6424 and speak to your trusted IDA Insurance Services team.
IDA Committees, Subcommittees Seeking Members
The IDA relies on the time and expertise of dentists to make our organization run smoothly. We currently have openings on numerous IDA committees and subcommittees.

Time commitments range from weekly, quarterly or annual meetings, and a variety of interests are welcome. Click the link below to learn more. The deadline to apply for all positions has been extended to Friday, March 25.
Gain Leadership Skills Through AIR
Spaces are still available for the 2022-2023 AIR (Acceptance, Inclusion, Respect) class. AIR is the award-winning leadership development program for Indiana dentists sponsored by the IDA.

Six to ten participants will be accepted for the two-year program. Participants will attend leadership training over three sessions at the IDA level for the first year. In the second year of the program, participants develop and complete a group leadership project involving at the dental community. Participants also attend the Midwest Dental Assembly for both years. AIR training provides attendees 27 hours of continuing education credits in areas of leadership and practice management, and all expenses are fully sponsored by the IDA. Visit the link below to learn more or to apply.
Pathway to Health Seeking Volunteers for April Event
Pathway to Health will be hosting a free mega-clinic in Indianapolis April 17-21 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The clinic is seeking dentists, oral surgeons, hygienists and assistants who are willing to volunteer their time at the clinic. Pathway to Health is a non-profit organization that hosts medical clinics around the country.

Information and volunteer registration are available online at www.pathwaytohealth.org. You can also call Dr. Randy Griffin at 317-409-3260.
Health Professions Scholarship Accepting Applications
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The 2022 National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (NHSC SP) is now accepting scholarship applications from students studying health professions, including dentistry.

The NHSC Scholarship Program participants agree to a one-year service commitment in an underserved community for each year of scholarship support received. There is a two-year minimum service commitment and participants can receive a maximum of four years of support.

The NHSC Scholarship covers tuition and eligible fees and other reasonable educational costs, including books, health insurance, and equipment. Monthly stipends are also available to assist with living expenses.

Please share this information with any aspiring dental student or other future medical professional.
Free Webinar on Barriers for Individuals with Disabilities
McMillen Health in Fort Wayne is starting a free webinar series called 20/10 Let's Talk Health.

The first in the series will take place next Thursday, March 24, from 7-7:30 p.m. Barriers Individuals with Disabilities Face—From the Pandemic, to Healthcare, and Everything In Between will be hosted by Barbie Vartanian from the NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities.
Registration Open for MDA, Center for Excellence
Registration is open for two upcoming IDA events: The 2022 Midwest Dental Assembly and the April Center for Excellence seminar with Tom Viola.

The MDA will be held in person in Fort Wayne May 20-22. The Center for Excellence will be in person in Plainfield on April 29. Click the links below for more details.
IDPAC Seeking Donations of Wine, Silent Auction Items
IDPAC is seeking donations for the Midwest Dental Assembly Silent Auction: Any item small or large is greatly appreciated. Items may be mailed or delivered in person to the IDA Central Office, and we're happy to answer questions at 800-562-5646.

Suggested donations include:

  • Sports memorabilia
  • Sporting or concert tickets
  • Jewelry and crafts
  • Vacation stays

We are also seeking donations of wine for our Wine Pull. Any type of bottle of wine is welcome. You can donate items in one of two ways:

  • Bring the bottle(s) to the IDA Central Office.
  • Make a monetary donation for the Wine Pull to IDPAC, and we will purchase the wine on your behalf.

Thanks for your support of IDPAC! These donations help strengthen our voice and influence in Indiana politics.