No one enjoys being denied whether it’s a job opportunity, a request for a date, or an insurance claim. In contrast to the first two, insurance claims fortunately can be appealed and later approved. At your dental practice, obviously you want to keep denied claims to a minimum through insurance verification, but one or two might happen because you and your team are human! However, it matters how you respond. Here are the steps for appeal and how to have a more successful business in dentistry!
Send Every Necessary Document to the Insurance Company.
Although this is a great tip for avoiding denial in the first place, sometimes insufficient evidence is cited as the reason for it. Descriptions aren’t enough to justify treatment these days; you need to provide photos and other documentation to substantiate the claim. Anything pertaining to the treatment you performed should be included in the claim along with the appropriate service billing code.
Have the Appeal Template Form Handy.
You never know when you might need the appeal form, but having easy access to it can speed the process along. Instead of searching on the insurance company’s website, you can quickly fill it out, supply everything you need and resubmit it efficiently. Make sure to check every January that you are using the most updated version of the appeal form.
Keep Track of Requirements from Each Insurance Company.
In the future, you could gather lists of requirements from the insurance companies where you submit claims. That way, you can check off all necessary items as you prepare them, reducing the chance of repeating the same mistake.
Don’t Give Up.
It may seem easier to accept what the insurance company kicks back. However, the teams who follow up, go through the appeals process, and persist are typically successful in appeals. If you are owed by the insurance company, it is worth the time and effort to receive payment and saving your patients money out-of-pocket.
Hire Dental Support Specialties.
If you find yourself facing an insurance claim appeal, your team doesn’t have to deal with it directly. Dental Support Specialties can take over the appeal process so that your in-office team can focus on current work. In fact, Dental Support Specialties can even lend a helping hand with normal everyday billing tasks like insurance verification. This can take stress off your team’s shoulders, create a happier environment in your practice, and minimize mistakes in claims the first time around!
A successful dental practice needs to be able to keep calm and carry on when setbacks occur. Denied insurance claims don’t mean you’ve failed; you have another chance to make it right! With patience and these steps, you can get the insurance money you’ve earned.
Dental Support Specialties
For more than 18 years, Dental Support Specialties has used our team’s expertise in dealing with dental insurance companies. Our professionals know how to interact with them and satisfy them and get claims approved. We also work with nearly every billing software, and we can start with yours with little to no training on your part. In addition to dental billing, we offer phone answering services, chart auditing, and more! Reach out to us to see how we can help your business run more efficiently.