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The Florida Dental Association's Official Electronic Newsletter
August 2009
In This Issue:
- Dentists Now Paid Directly from Insurance Companies
- BOD Addresses Florida Clinical Exam
- Red Flags Rule Enforcement Delayed Until Nov. 1
- FDA Forces Competition in the Miami-Dade Medicaid Market
- PDC to Award Grants
- FDHF Congratulates Drawing of Chance Winners
- Applications for the FDA Leadership Institute Online
- Nominees Now Being Accepted for Florida Health Innovation Prevention and Management Awards
- August TFDA to be Delivered
- FDA Social Media Sites Offer Up-to-the-minute Info
- August Member Voices Survey Question
- July Member Voices Results
News Bites Archives
Dentists Now Paid Directly
from Insurance Companies
Dentists and other health care providers now can receive payment directly from insurance companies for services rendered. This applies only to patients covered by preferred provider organizations.
The change occurs due to the recent signing of CS/SB 1122 by Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach) and Rep. Marcelo Llorente (R-Miami). FDA represented member dentists on this issue.
BOD Addresses Florida Clinical Exam
At the July 31 Board of Dentistry (BOD) meeting the Board decided to keep the Florida clinical exam as is, which means there will still be three patient procedures, a demonstration of periodontal skills and two restorations (a class II amalgam and a class III composite). In addition, the BOD voted against adopting a national clinical exam and will work to improve Florida's exam. Also, the Board referred proposed rules regarding providing sealants and prophylaxis without any supervision in a health-access setting to BOD sub-committees. The FDA believes the law would have to change to allow this and a rule change will not suffice.
Red Flags Rule Enforcement
Delayed Until Nov. 1
Due to the encouragement of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued another 90-day delay in the enforcement of its “red flags rule,” which would have gone into effect Aug. 1. The new deadline is Sunday, Nov. 1. These laws and rules pertain to identity theft. The FTC originally deemed dentists and physicians offering credit of any kind as subject to the rules.
Newly introduced legislation (HR 2345) would permanently exempt small health care providers from the requirements of the rules. This latest 90-day extension of the enforcement moratorium allows more time to build support for the bill in Congress. The bill now has 32 co-sponsors. Much credit for this development goes to dentists who contacted their congressmen by letter, e-mail, phone or in-person during the ADA Washington Leadership Conference last May.
While organized dentistry will continue to challenge the rules, Florida Dental Association (FDA) members have access to an online compliance kit, should the rules ultimately go into effect. This kit is made available at no charge to members at www.floridadental.org/redflag. The link also includes access to information about the State of Florida's requirements regarding the Breach Notification Law, which has not been delayed and is in full force.
FDA Forces Competition in the
Miami-Dade Medicaid Market
The Legislature is mandating competition in the Miami-Dade Medicaid market. The FDA successfully lobbied the Legislature to include in the state’s budget a provision requiring the Agency for Health Care Administration to utilize at least two providers. This provision, coupled with passage of the FDA’s legislative priority prohibiting dental plans from restricting your ability to join competing networks, creates a more competitive environment.
PDC to Award Grants
The Florida Dental Health Foundation (FDHF) received grant applications from 16 Project: Dentists Care (PDC) Associates. Due to generous donations from the dental community, the FDHF Board of Directors estimates the total amount of funding available for 2009 grants will be $75,000. Contact the FDHF at (800) 877-9922 for information about grant opportunities for FDA-member dentists.
FDHF Congratulates Drawing of Chance Winners
The FDHF congratulates Dr. David Windham of Panama City as the winner of the 2009 Drawing of Chance. As the winner, Dr. Windham will have the choice between a two-year lease on a 2009 Jaguar XF, a three-year lease on a 2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid or a cash option. Dr. Joseph Calderone of DeBary won the second prize, a 40-inch high-definition television. Contact the FDHF at (800) 877-9922 for information about the 2010 drawing.
Applications for the FDA Leadership Institute Online
Leadership Institute graduates complete self-paced, Web-based courses, organize local individual or group leadership projects, and attend an in-person leadership development workshop. Applications for the Leadership Institute are available online at http://www.floridadental.org/pro/leadership.pdf. For more information, contact Bill Sagona, Leadership Institute coordinator at bsagona@floridadental.org or (850) 681-3629, Ext. 7107.
Nominees Now Being Accepted for Florida Health Innovation Prevention and Management Awards
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Ana M. Viamonte Ros recently announced the opening of nominations for the Florida Health Innovation Prevention and Management Awards. The awards are intended to celebrate individuals, organizations, businesses or programs that creatively address local healthcare concerns. Nominations must be received by Department of Health Deputy Secretary Kimberly Berfield no later than Monday, Aug. 31. For instructions and nomination forms, visit the FDA member Web site.
August Today’s FDA to be Delivered
The August issue of Today’s FDA (TFDA) will feature head and neck cancer and how to provide dental care for cancer patients. Look out for this publication in your mailbox mid-August.
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FDA Social Media Sites Offer
Up-to-the-minute Info
Join the FDA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for up-to-the-minute announcements, discussions about legislative efforts, dental industry news, access-to-care opportunities, continuing education notifications and photos. In addition, connect with colleagues all over the state!
August Member Voices Survey Question
Today’s FDA has increased scientific and practice management information by 200 percent over the past year. However, we want to make sure we cover information YOU want to know. Take this survey to let us know how we can tailor the journal to your professional development needs.
July Member Voices Results
The July Member Voices survey asked: What kind of information do you look for in our monthly e-newsletter, News Bites?
Of those who responded, 43 percent of FDA members said they look for legislative updates, 21 percent said they read the industry updates and 7 percent want to read about meeting announcements. In addition, members indicated that they would also like to see News Bites include Medicaid and economic updates, and Board of Dentistry issues.
Thank you, members, for your participation. Your opinion counts!