The South Carolina Dental
Association (SCDA) sent an action alert in early September regarding the
recent Medicaid administration
transition to DentaQuest. The SCDA has continued to receive hundreds of
phone calls and wanted to update you on the latest:
-
It is our understanding that DentaQuest's web portal is much
faster and functioning as it was designed.
If you are experiencing web portal issues a direct call to Ms. Rebekah
Steen at DentalQuest would be advised.
She can be reached at 803-758-0558.
-
Many of you have contacted Mr. Roy Hess who works directly with
the Medicaid Agency as he has agreed to accept phone calls from any dentist
that is having specific claims problems after an attempt to solve the problem
with DentaQuest. The Agency needs to know specifics about the claims
problems and due to HIPAA, it would be best to discuss those directly with the
Agency. You may call Mr. Roy Hess at 803-898-3929.
The Medicaid Agency
and DentaQuest have set up a specific live training session for Oral
Surgeons and their staff regarding billing, prior authorization
requirements, etc. If you treat
patients over the age of 21, it may be worthwhile attending this session. The training will take place Tuesday, September 28 at 10am at the Embassy
Suites off of Greystone Blvd. in Columbia. No registration is required.
There are
several other issues the SCDA has addressed that seem to be causing problems
and we are still awaiting answers:
- Comprehensive Exams: DentaQuest does not pay for a comprehensive
exam if one has already been done on a patient.
The SCDA realizes that most, if not all, dentists do a comprehensive
exam the first time a new patient comes into your office so we are addressing
this.
-
Restorations every three years: This is a new policy change from
restorations allowed every year. The
SCDA believes that this could create "access to care" problems and a dentist
should be allowed to place a restoration within the three year timeframe
without having to send the patient back to the original dentist so we are addressing
this.
-
X-Rays, documentation and other claims requirements also remain on
the list the SCDA is addressing.
The SCDA
remains committed to the South Carolina Medicaid Program and realizes this is a
tough time for all, but urges all to remain patient as we work and strive to
ease the burdens. As mentioned before, the SCDA will keep this issue at
the top of its list.
Sincerely,
Phil Latham
SCDA Executive Director
South Carolina Dental Association |
