Is it time to drop Delta Dental?

The answer depends on your state.

For years, I have always advised my clients to drop Delta last. The reasons are two-fold:

1. Delta typically represents the largest % of insured patients in most dental practices.

2. Previously, Delta would NOT send the check to the office. That meant you would treat your Delta patients as if they were FFS patients. This hurdle was HUGE for many practices. If you had a large number of Delta patients, especially families, you would be concerned (& rightfully so) about losing too many patients.

Over the past several weeks, I researched Assignment of Benefits laws across all 50 states. What I discovered surprised me.

Some states have strong protections for dentists. Others offer limited protections. And in many states, the answer depends on whether the patient’s plan is fully insured or self-funded. (Yes, it is confusing…no surprise here).

For practice owners considering a transition away from PPO dependence, understanding these rules can make the difference between a smooth transition & a rocky one.

As a dental coach & consultant, I am passionate about helping private practice owners achieve financial freedom by gaining independence from these carriers. This has become my one-woman mission over the past 7 years!

While every practice is different, I passionately believe dentists should have the option to be 100% OON without fear, confusion, or misinformation standing in their way.

The reality is that many practices have far more leverage than they realize.

If you’re considering dropping Delta, or another PPO plan, & would like a copy of my 50-State Assignment of Benefits Reference Chart, email me at ge*****@********cc.com I’m happy to share it with you.

Please be sure to do your own research before making any major decisions. However, my chart is a good starting point for you. It identifies which states have legal protections in place for dentists, specifically the ones that require insurance companies to honor a patient’s request to send reimbursement directly to the dental office.

Knowledge isn’t power. What you DO with your knowledge is powerful. When it comes to insurance participation, the more you know, the more options you have, & the more power you have to attain your own version of Financial Freedom!