Dental Practice to Host Digital Expert Panel Discussion About the Affordable Care Act in NH
Amherst, NH (PRWEB) July 31, 2014 -- With all of the confusion surrounding the Affordable Care Act these days, Children’s Dental Center of New Hampshire is in search of clarity. On an evening not yet scheduled in early September, the Amherst, NH-based practice will be taking a leadership role on this complex topic by hosting an online, interactive discussion where attendees will be able to log on to listen, or even participate with questions and insights if they so choose. The event will be hosted by Doctors Andrew Cheifetz and James (“Jim”) McAveeney, who have each been with the practice for many years. Along side the Doctors, the practice expects to present a qualified panel of “those-in-the-know” with regards to the new healthcare regulations, including experts from pediatric medicine, insurance and government. “Our patients have been asking us lots of questions about the Affordable Care Act and how their relationship with us might be affected. Some questions we’re able to answer…some we’re not,” commented Cheifetz. “We thought it would be beneficial to our staff, to our patients and to the community if we brought a panel of experts together to share what we know and learn from one another.”
Children’s Dental Center of New Hampshire has been providing pediatric dental care out of their Amherst, NH office over the past 31 years. The practice’s all-star cast of Doctors is lead by senior pediatric dentist and founder, Dr. “Jim” McAveeney. Doctors Jim and Andrew are both proud recipients of New Hampshire Magazine’s “Top Pediatric Dentist” award for 2014. The team at Children’s Dental makes it their mission to provide a child-focused, positive and nurturing experience for every patient visit – all with a focus on creating more child smiles!
Having already given much thought about the Affordable Care Act and investigating how its rules would affect their patients and their practice, Children’s Dental Center has compiled a list of Facts and Concerns. Here are some of the Facts related to their industry that the practice has been able to gather:
• Pediatric dental benefits are one of the 10 essential health benefits that must be offered in the exchanges, either within a medical plan or as a stand-alone option.
• Some dental policies have a two-year waiting period – premiums must be paid, but dental coverage may not actually be received for two years.
• Deductibles and co-pays of dental plans in the exchanges will be higher than traditional dental plans (meaning more out-of-pocket dental expenses).
• Some medical plans will have dental benefits bundled or embedded so certain procedures may need to be billed to the medical plan. Since dental offices do not submit to medical insurances, patients will have more responsibility for filing their own claims.
The following are some Concerns that the practice has as to how the regulations will impact their industry:
• Insurers may advertise full pediatric dental coverage, but the patient should carefully investigate how the company provides the mandate. Traditionally, most parents are used to having preventive care (cleanings) covered at close to 100%. However, if the pediatric dental care is subject to a deductible, parents would be responsible for the full cost of the cleaning until their child’s deductible is met. (If the deductibles are as high as $6,250, it will be difficult to reach that amount and have the insurance company start paying for dental care).
• Many policies will have: waiting periods before coverage starts (up to 2 years), limits to what the plan will pay for a child, limited provider networks (dentists in the network may be far away or provide a different standard of care than the patient has been used to).
• What does the insurance cover for dental cleanings, fillings, extractions and orthodontics?
• Some medical insurances will not pay a NH provider. We could not submit dental claim forms for your family; you would be responsible for full payment and then be reimbursed by your insurance.
• Dental offices will not have information on medical deductibles; again you would be responsible for full payment of all dental expenses and then request reimbursement from your insurance.
These are just some of the examples of topics that may be up for discussion during the event. Participants are encouraged to come up with a list of their own topics and questions. Although hosted by Children’s Dental Center, discussion topics will not be limited to dentistry; the panel members come from varying professional backgrounds and will be able to answer questions and provide insights related to the nuances of the Affordable Care Act in general.
Anyone wishing to participate in the event should visit Children’s Dental Center’s website, http://www.childrensdentalnh.com/AffordableCareAct, for easy-to-follow log on instructions.
“We’re looking forward to a lively discussion that helps us understand our community's questions and concerns,” said Dr. Andrew. “We all have questions and concerns about the new healthcare regulations, and this is a great opportunity to both educate and be educated.”
Children’s Dental Center of NH is a Pediatric Dental practice located in Amherst, NH. The practice was founded by Dr. James (“Jim”) McAveeney in 1983 and continues successfully today with the support of Dr. Andrew Cheifetz, who joined the practice in 2003, and a talented staff of hygienists, dental assistants and dedicated patient services staff. Children’s Dental Center of NH is focused on creating more child smiles through the specialized practice of pediatric dentistry, interceptive orthodontics and dental emergency care. The practice thrives on their goal of collaborating with and educating the community and providing an unmatched kid-focused approach that both you and your child can feel good about. The practice is always welcoming new patients. Learn more at http://www.childrensdentalnh.com or call 603.673-1000.
Andrew Cheifetz, Children's Dental Center of New Hampshire, http://childrensdentalnh.com, +1 6032327386, [email protected]
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