Outsourced dental billing services are a viable choice for submitting insurance claims for orthodontic procedures. Experts are on the job at experienced medical billing organizations that also specialize in dental billing. These companies will review your patient records and submit the claim on your behalf.
The first thing you should know about outsourcing dental billing is that it is not a single event. It is an ongoing relationship that requires attention to detail and follow-up communication from your part. Make sure that the company you choose has the resources needed to handle orthodontics by reviewing their previous work experiences and hearing what others have to say about them. Also ask if there are any situations where they may be unable to process your claim; for example, if your patient is under 18 or if there is some other reason that would prevent them from doing so. Finally, make sure that they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee if you are not satisfied with the service they provide.
When selecting an outsourcing dental billing company, look for one that has experience working with providers who deal with orthodontics on a daily basis. This will help them better understand your needs and ensure that all appropriate codes are used when filing your claims.
Be sure to check with your insurance carrier before you begin the process of outsourcing your dental billing.
Many dental insurance policies do not cover orthodontics, so you may need to purchase an extra policy, discount plan, or rider to assist pay for orthodontic treatment. The cost of braces or other treatments might vary depending on the kind. However, as long as you get your teeth cleaned and checked regularly, dental insurance should be enough to cover any necessary repairs or replacements.
If you have dental coverage but still can't afford orthodontics, check with your dentist if there are any financial assistance programs that could help. Many practices will work with patients who show they have an interest in better health and wellness through education and counseling. You might also want to consider putting away some of your own money each month and using it to pay off your debt or save for something else.
Finally, contact your dental insurance company and ask about alternative payment plans or reduced-cost options. Some companies will go along with this, while others may require you to first try and get rid of any excess services before applying for a special rate. But, if you look hard enough, almost all dental insurance policies include at least some form of coverage for orthodontics.
Orthodontic work is a recognized medical cost, but unless your spending surpass the government's threshold, it won't help you save money on your taxes. The IRS sets its own thresholds for what constitutes a qualified medical expense. If you meet the threshold in any year, then that year's expenses are tax-deductible.
Generally speaking, your orthodontist is an expert in dental medicine and surgery. He or she will diagnose your problems with your teeth and advise you on the best course of action. Your orthodontist may also perform other health-related procedures on your teeth such as removing decays or repairing damage from trauma.
Taxpayers can deduct the cost of seeing an orthodontist from their income tax liability. However, only certain expenses qualify for deduction. An expense is deductible if it satisfies two requirements: it must be paid to obtain medical advice or treatment and it must be necessary to prevent illness or injury.
The fact that your dentist is an orthodontist doesn't necessarily mean that your expenses are tax-deductible. An orthodontist who also performs other services such as cosmetic dentistry or family dentistry would not be eligible to claim his or her expenses as a medical expense.
Examine your individual or employer-sponsored dental insurance plan to discover if braces and orthodontic services are covered. If you discover that you have no or limited coverage, or if you are jobless, you might look into different dental or health insurance plans. What Orthodontic Services Are Covered?
In most cases, treatment for malocclusion is considered medically necessary and therefore covered under medical insurance plans. Your dentist will be able to tell you what services are covered under your specific policy. If you have dental coverage but it does not cover all of the expenses associated with braces, work with your insurer to determine what parts of the procedure are required by your condition and what can be done on a cost-sharing basis. For example, some policies require you to receive an exam by a physician before any treatment can be started while others will pay for preventive measures like sealants or fillings applied during checkups. Other orthodontic services that may be covered include:
Bonding - This is the process of applying a resin coating to the inside of your teeth to protect them while they heal after orthodontic procedures.
Casting - This is the first step in creating your custom-made retainer. A diagnostic model is made of your mouth so that we can see how best to move your teeth into their final positions.
As part of their "Extras" coverage, several health plans will pay for orthodontic treatment, including braces, aligners, and retainers. Extras coverage, often known as general treatment, is a type of health insurance that typically covers procedures that Medicare does not. For example, many health plans will cover the cost of orthodontics after you turn 26 if you have poor oral hygiene or other risk factors for developing tooth decay.
In addition to extras coverage, some plans will also cover costs associated with treating specific medical conditions that affect your teeth or jaws, such as diabetes or hyperparathyroidism. If your plan has these benefits, they will be presented in a list called a benefit package. The benefits listed on this list are called active benefits; if you have active benefits, then you are covered for them. If your plan ever stops offering certain benefits, you can request that they be added back into your policy. Otherwise known as a retention bonus.
Retention bonuses are often offered by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs). You may receive this bonus when you sign up for a new policy or at any time during the life of the policy. They usually take the form of reducing your out-of-pocket expenses by giving you more coverage than you need or making up for lost coverage by extending current benefits.
What exactly are orthodontic services? Braces and other specialised dental care and treatments are examples of orthodontic services. Because not all dental plans cover orthodontic services, it is critical that you thoroughly examine your plan papers. How can I tell whether I need braces? If you're asking yourself this question, then the answer is probably "yes". Orthodontics is the practice of aligning teeth for improved appearance and function-and especially for making teeth look better after they've been moved around in order to accommodate others or alter their shape (as in the case of jaw alignment before surgery). Orthodontists are specialized dentists who have completed additional training in this field.
In general, if you have crooked, misshapen teeth, it's a good idea to see an orthodontist so that they can develop an appropriate treatment plan for you. Certain conditions, such as excessive tooth movement or loss, may require emergency attention from an orthodontist to prevent further damage to your mouth.
How does orthodontics work? During your visit, your orthodontist will take x-rays and photographs of your mouth to create a detailed picture of its structure. They will also measure the distance between your eyes, the length of your face, and any space between your teeth to determine how much force is needed to move certain teeth. This information is used to create custom-made appliances called aligners.