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Q.
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Are
our employees restricted to a limited list of network providers?
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A.
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Never! Your Direct Dental Plan allows employees the freedom
to see any chosen provider. Surveys have repeatedly shown
the importance patient's place upon choosing their provider
dentist and benefit plans that allow choice are favored
by employees. |
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Q.
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How
much will my Direct Dental Plan cost?
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A.
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The cost of your plan depends on many factors that determine
the plan utilization. For employers who have assigned a
specific budget for dental benefits, we offer fixed funding
plans. Those employers who wish to offer a chosen benefit
level are provided plan cost determinations from our nationwide
actuarial service. We also work with a nationwide stoploss
insurance underwriter to place a maximum limit on the employer's
liability. Utilizing the many techniques of the insurance
industry to contain costs, we have been able to routinely
predict plan costs within 10% of actual expenses.
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On
a monthly basis, you're expenses come only after patients
who use the plan receive their treatment and will consist
of a portion of those claims submitted. Add to this a low
administrative fee to Direct Dental and that's all you need
to pay. No hidden costs, profit margins or premium taxes
to divert plan funds away from patient care |
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Putting
your money into better dental benefits is what our plans
are all about.
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Q.
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Who
manages claims and monitors the quality of care in a self
funded plan?
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A.
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Direct Dental does. We are the self-funded experts. We monitor
the pulse of your plan so you can concentrate on your core
business. Plan accounting and quality of care is handled
by trained professionals and on staff dentists.
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Q.
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Does self-funding our dental plan mean increased staff
time?
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A.
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No. With Direct Dental administrative services, all claims
processing, plan inquiries and enrollment functions are
handled offsite. Our professional claims review by licensed
dentists assures you of effective fraud control and superior
claims processing. Your staff merely needs to maintain eligibility
records and fund the plan monthly to pay claims.
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Q.
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Why should a small business self-fund their dental benefit plan
with Direct Dental?
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A.
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The most obvious reasons you would want to self-fund are cost savings, ease of use and employee satisfaction. Direct Dental enables you to customize dental benefits to your exact employee population and only pay for those people who see their dentist. You immediately save up to 40% of the premiums that go into costly insurance plan overhead and profit, plus you regain control of the benefits you offer to your employees!
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Q.
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Do
I need an insurance broker to buy a Direct Dental
plan?
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A.
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No. The ease and speed of the Internet connects you directly to your own customized dental benefit plan. Eliminating intermediaries puts more of your plan funds directly into care for your employees. Since self-funded welfare benefit plans are not an insurance product, they are exempt from industry regulations, taxes, commissions and state restrictions that complicate traditional insurance products.
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Q.
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Are
my employees restricted to a limited list of network providers?
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A.
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Never!
Your Direct Dental plan allows your employees
the freedom to seek dental care from the dentist with whom they
feel most comfortable. Surveys have repeatedly shown the importance
patients place upon choosing their dental provider and benefit
plans that allow choice are favored by your employees.
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Q.
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Who monitors the treatment provided to patients?
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A.
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A good question with several answers:
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By requiring employees to pay for treatment then receive reimbursement from the plan, appropriateness of service and treatment decisions become the responsibility of the patient and dentist. This has been shown to be an effective cost containment tool. Patients will not authorize excessive dental work or treatment they do not find appropriate. Given the fact that most people dislike dental work, the incidence of dental fraud is extremely low. Dentists or patients will not risk their license or their jobs due to fraud for a $500 or $1000 benefit. For added security, Direct Dental provides claim forms with signature areas for the dentist to acknowledge treatment completion. |
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Since the Internal Revenue Service prohibits payment by a welfare benefit plan of any procedure that is cosmetic in nature, it's never a question of coverage for cosmetic procedures. Benefits are payable for medically necessary treatment. |
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We want you to fully understand the advantages of self-funding your dental benefits. Please contact us at feedback@Direct Dental with your questions or comments. Thank you.
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