IDA UPDATE
Indiana Dental Association | October 2020
In This Issue
  • IDA Requests Rapid Testing Access for Dentists
  • Open Enrollment for IDA Insurance Trust
  • E-Prescription Deadline
  • November Medicaid Workshop
  • Dr. Hollar Selected for Search Committee
  • Dental License Scam Warning
  • Best Card Promotion
  • Upcoming Legislative Huddles
  • Give Kids a Smile Materials
Upcoming Events

E-Learning Series:Yes You Can! Practice Transitions
Thursday, November 12, 1-2 p.m. EST

Being a Medicaid Provider in an Era of Accountability (virtual)
Friday, November 13, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. EST

E-Learning Series: Mindfulness in the Dental Practice
Thursday, December 10, 1-2 p.m. EST


Upcoming Deadlines

CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Applications
Friday, November 6

E-Prescription Deadline
Thursday, December 31
IDA Requests Rapid Testing Access for Dentists
IDA President Dr. David Wolf and COVID Task Force Chair Dr. Steve Hollar sent a letter to Governor Eric Holcomb and State Commissioner of Health Dr. Kristina Box, asking for dentists to be included in the distribution of the Abbott BinaxNOW Ag card tests that were apportioned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In the letter, Drs. Wolf and Hollar pointed out that “dental personnel contend with a potential high risk of exposure to COVID-19 because of their close proximity to patients’ mouths and also because dental treatment commonly generates aerosolized particles…identifying presymptomatic, early symptomatic patients and possibly asymptomatic patients is key to being able to protect dental personnel and other patients from exposure.”

The IDA believes dentists are uniquely positioned to distribute the tests effectively; we will continue to update you on this timely issue as we advocate on behalf of dentists.

In related news, the ADA released its COVID-19 & Lab Testing Requirements Toolkit to members. The Toolkit covers in-office testing and CLIA requirements, regulations by state, how to apply for a federal certificate of waiver, reporting requirements, and patient FAQs..
Open Enrollment for IDA Insurance Trust
It’s Open Enrollment time for the IDA Insurance Trust. Current participants have until November 27 to make changes, including adding dependents and changing deductibles. If you are a current Trust participant or are wondering if the Trust can help you with great insurance rates, below are some benefits to being a member of the Trust:

  • In 2020, the Trust gave two months of 50 percent premium holiday to help participants during the COVID-19 outbreak, saving our Trust participants approximately $1.3 million.
  • For 2021, the Trustees voted for no rate increase for all current participants!
  • The IDA Insurance Trust utilizes Anthem’s Blue Access Network, which covers more than 92 percent of hospitals and providers nationwide.
  • Since its inception, the Trust has used approximately $1.5 million in surplus and reserve funds to help our members by buying down premium increases.

Call 800-417-6424 or email TrustQuestions@indental.org to review your options and to submit applications. Visit www.idainsurancetrust.com for more information.
E-Prescription Deadline December 31
In 2019, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation requiring prescriptions for controlled substances to be filed electronically. This new requirement takes effect on December 31, 2020.

IDA leadership has had meetings with staff of the Indiana Board of Pharmacy and INSPECT in an attempt to clarify the implementation of the new e-prescription rule. We will update members on the guidance we receive as soon as possible.
Medicaid Seminar November 13
IDA will be hosting a special online workshop in November to help dentists and office managers navigate the ins and outs of opting into Medicaid.

Being a Medicaid Provider in an Era of Accountability is a five-hour workshop on Friday, November 13, from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. EST. Cost is FREE. The workshop will take place online and is worth 5 LIVE CE credits in Practice Management.

Speakers will include members of the ADA’s Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention (CAAP) Medicaid Provider Advisory Committee and the Indiana Medicaid Task Force.
Dr. Hollar Selected for IU Search Committee
IDA President-Elect Dr. Steve Hollar was named to one of two committees that will play a critical role in the selection of the next Indiana University president.

A search committee will interview candidates and present three finalists to the IU Board of Trustees. Dr. Hollar will serve on the Presidential Search Advisory Committee that will gather input from internal and external stakeholders to guide the search committee. The goal of the two committees is to have the new president in place by the time President Michael McRobbie retires in June 2021.

Congratulations to Dr. Hollar for being selected to represent dentistry in this important search process.
Dental License Scam Warning
Member dentists have reported receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be from the DEA or the Indiana State Board of Dentistry and saying there is a problem with this year's license renewal.

The ISBD confirmed that it has made no such calls and agreed that the calls are likely an identify theft scam. Please use the following tips to avoid being an identify theft victim:

  • Never provide your credit card, Social Security number, or other personal details to callers.
  • Verify a caller's identity by offering to call or email them back. An obvious red flag is if the caller claims to be working for the state but has an out of state phone number, or is using an email address that doesn't end with .gov.
  • Confirm a state worker's name, title and official contact information by checking the Indiana State Government People Finder.
  • View your license status online with the PLA license search function or the DEA License Verification website.
IDA Selects Best Card As Preferred Vendor
IDA has selected Best Card as a Preferred Vendor. Best Card saves the average dental practice 24 percent, or $3,256 annually on their processing fees. Best Card has many “contactless” options to choose from and lets you run automatic recurring payment plans, accept payments on your website, and will automatically post payments to your dental software. Visit the Best Card website to start your savings with Best Card.

The average dental office takes 64.4 percent more in card payments than they did ten years ago. Any part of your business that grows 64 percent needs to be re-evaluated to make sure that it’s still meeting the needs of your bottom line.
"Huddles" Allow Members to Connect With Legislators
IDA Director of Government Affairs Shane Springer is arranging virtual Legislative Huddles with key state senators and representatives. These events are a great way to connect with state legislators and to advocate for the needs of dentistry in Indiana. Below are upcoming events:

Huddle with Cindy Kirchhofer–Indianapolis
Friday, October 23, 2-3 p.m. EST

Huddle with Rep. Shane Lindauer–Washington
Monday, October 26, 6-7 p.m. EST

Huddle with Sen. John Ruckelshaus–Indianapolis
Wednesday, October 28, 7:30-8:30 p.m. EST

Email IDA Director of Government Affairs Shane Springer if you would like to attend any of these huddles.
Give Kids a Smile Materials Available through November 13
Dentists and dental offices that manage Give Kids A Smile events can receive free oral health education and product kits when they sign up their programs between now and November 13. Restrictions apply.

The ADA’s Give Kids A Smile program has provided more than 6 million underserved children with free oral health services. Visit the GKAS website for additional information or to sign up your program.
Nominate Dental Stars for IDA Awards
Do you have individuals in mind who have done an outstanding job promoting, practicing or volunteering for the field of dentistry? Nominate them for an IDA Award! These awards are presented during the IDA Midwest Dental Assembly and honor dentists, volunteers and dental professionals for their hard work and dedication.

All nominations for IDA Awards are due by March 1, 2021. Click the link below to visit our awards page and nomination form.
‌
INDIANA DENTAL ASSOCIATION
550 West North Street, Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-634-2610
www.indental.org