Dec 30, 2024
Corporate Transparency Act injunction reinstated
A Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals panel reinstated the nationwide injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act Dec. 26.
Dec 30, 2024
A Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals panel reinstated the nationwide injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act Dec. 26.
Dec 29, 2024
In the age of social media, there are many ways to connect with others, get advice and network — including for dental professionals.
Dec 22, 2024
Congress approved a short-term spending bill that funds the government through March 14, 2025.
Dec 20, 2024
A study found that early-life exposure to fluoridation has no measurable effect on cognitive neurodevelopment, or IQ scores, in children.
Dec 20, 2024
The ADA is an American National Standards Institute-Accredited Standards Developer.
Dec 19, 2024
The committee will vote to accept, amend or decline CDT Code changes for 2026.
Dec 19, 2024
Dentists potentially impacted by the CTA are receiving mixed messages about whether they need to file for beneficial ownership.
Dec 18, 2024
The ADA sent an Action Alert encouraging members to urge Congress to pass the continuing resolution funding the government until March 2025.
Dec 18, 2024
The growth in dental spending included more than $3 billion in increased Medicare dental spending.
Dec 17, 2024
The House passed an ADA-supported bill that addresses home care and caregiver programs provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Dec 16, 2024
National Academies held a workshop that explored innovative practices and models for advancing oral health in the U.S. across the lifespan.
Dec 16, 2024
This is the third investment by the ADA in a dental company following previous investments in Oral Genome and Overjet.
Dec 15, 2024
Brian Edward Scott, D.D.S., served as vice president from 2012-14.
Dec 15, 2024
Hertz is offering a discount for ADA members who book rental cars before mid-February
Dec 11, 2024
A Southern California dentist and five of his employees have been charged with defrauding the state’s Medi-Cal program of nearly $900,000.
Dec 11, 2024
The new think tank aims to unite key leaders in the dental industry to advance the profession and patient care globally.
Dec 10, 2024
The Health and Human Services Task Force of the American Legislative Exchange Council adopted the ADA-crafted Dental Access Model Act.
Dec 9, 2024
The American Dental Association has been named a Best-in-Class Employer by Gallagher.
Dec 8, 2024
A court in Richmond, Virginia, dismissed a lawsuit Dec. 5 challenging the state’s participation in the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.
Dec 5, 2024
A Texas federal judge blocked a U.S. Department of Labor rule that would have expanded overtime eligibility to low-salaried workers.
Dental Insurance Reforms
ISDS has been advocating for dental insurance reform for our members and patients. On January 1, 2024 three new dental insurance laws will go into effect that will impact dental insurance in Illinois.
Cranial Facial Anomaly Insurance Coverage
Health insurance companies will be required to cover services for children with cranial facial anomalies. Specifically, health insurance companies will be required to provide coverage for the medically necessary care and treatment of cleft lip and palate for children under 19. This includes the following:
Network Leasing
Network leasing is a bait-and-switch tactic insurance companies use to gain more revenue. Insurance companies lure dentists in with one network, and once dentists are on the hook, the dentist is forced to make an impossible choice to take on a network the dentist cannot afford to sustain or risk losing the patients they’ve served for years when insurance fails to honor their agreement.
Under the new law advocated for by ISDS, insurance companies will be now required to notify the dentist that the network is being leased out and allow the dentist to opt out of the new network. Under the new law, this notification must be provided in writing via certified mail 60 days before any scheduled assignment or lease of the network. The notification is also required to include all contract terms, a policy manual, a fee schedule, and statement that the provider has the right to choose not to participate.
Virtual Credit Cards
Insurance companies often make payments through a virtual credit card (VCC) instead of a physical check or direct deposit. VCC fees can be as high as 5% for dentists while insurance companies often receive cash-back incentives from credit card companies.
Under the new law, insurance companies are prohibited from requiring dentists to pay a processing fee on any electronic payment, including virtual credit cards.
E-Prescription Requirement
All healthcare providers, including dentists, prescribing controlled substances schedule II-V must submit prescriptions electronically. During this past legislative session, ISDS worked with other stakeholders to pursue legislation to outline further and clarify the requirement.
The legislation provides for the following exemptions to submitting the prescriptions electronically:
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is expected to issue guidance on how the exemptions will need to be certified. ISDS will inform its members when this information becomes available.
New Paid Time Off Law
In March 2023, Illinois enacted the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, which requires most Illinois employers, including dental offices, to provide their employees with up to 40 hours per year of paid leave for any reason. This law goes into effect on January 1, 2024.
To further assist members with compliance with this new law, ISDS hosted a 1-hour continuing education webinar that outlined the requirements of the law. For more information about the law and to view the webinar please visit: https://isds.ce21.com/item/understanding-implementing-2024-illinois-paid-leave-workers-act-123916
Additionally, the Illinois Department of Labor has issued a Frequently Asked Questions document which can be accessed here: https://labor.illinois.gov/faqs/paidleavefaq.html
Dental Practice Act Changes
There have been several clean-up changes to the Illinois Dental Practice Act that will be in effect on January 1, 2024. These changes are highlighted below:
As always, ISDS will continue to keep its members informed and advocate on behalf of its members.