Twenty-one percent of dental practices have billed medical insurance to cover dental procedures for their patients, according to a poll from the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute.
The ADA's monthly "Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry" survey asked 886 respondents about whether their practice ever bills medical insurance for dental procedures.
Here is the share of patients for whom respondents have billed medical insurance:
- Less than 1 percent: 49 percent
- 1 to 10 percent: 22 percent
- 11 to 20 percent: 2 percent
- More than 20 percent: 27 percent
For practices that have not billed medical insurance for dental procedures, here are the reasons this is the case:
- Not necessary/the practice only provides dental services: 35.5 percent
- Too complicated, time-consuming and the administrative burden is not worth the effort: 27.7 percent
- Lack of training, qualified staff or software: 20.2 percent
- Reimbursement will be denied/significant payment delays: 10.3 percent
- Unfamiliar with medical procedure codes, services covered or billing process: 10.2 percent
- Fee for service/not in-network with any insurance plans: 3.1 percent
- Was not aware it was an option: 2.7 percent
- Patient may submit medical claim for services: 1.9 percent
- Not interested: 1 percent
- Patient deductibles are high and not likely met: 0.8 percent
- I'm not sure: 0.8 percent
- Speciality/medical-related services are referred out: 0.2 percent