The ADA voiced its opposition to a new fee that Delta Dental of California is charging dentists who choose to receive insurance reimbursements by paper check.
Delta Dental of California, which operates in California, Washington, DC, and 14 other states, announced in a newsletter that dentists paid by paper check will face a $15 weekly administrative charge. The ADA said it received copies of the newsletter from member dentists in multiple states.
In a July 8 letter to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the ADA asked the organization to oppose the policy and called on state insurance regulators to support dentists' ability to choose how they are paid without additional fees. Dr. Richard Rosato, ADA president, and Dr. Nader Nadershahi, ADA executive director, said rising administrative costs disproportionately affect small dental practices, which make up most of the profession.
The ADA also noted that Aetna is moving away from paper checks for out-of-network providers in several states, and it encouraged dentists to contact Delta Dental, their state insurance commissioners, and state lawmakers to advocate for payment choice.
