VLOG | I DROPPED DELTA DENTAL INSURANCE + how it went | joycethedentist

[@TaylorMclawhorn035_]

As a patient, dental insurance continues to be a scam. I much prefer to just pay out of pocket for my wonderful dentist. There is SO much that dental insurance doesn’t cover that if you need anything besides cleaning done, in or out of network doesn’t make a difference.

[@Joycethedentist]

Thank you for sharing your experience and from our side, I also agree! I think dental insurance might have been different back in the day but these days they cover so little and the hoops they put the dentist+patient through really detract from patient care. Thank you for watching!!💕

[@Joycethedentist]

How do you feel about dental insurance? I wish they were more transparent. It has been a frustrating ride with them but I know this is the best decision for my office. Thank u for watching! ❤️

[@drponcedds]

Modern day dental insurance is a glorified coupon, which is a shame because many people pay so much into it to receive so little.

[@Joycethedentist]

Totally agree. The ones who benefit are the dental insurance companies. Premiums have increased with a decrease in coverage.

[@dboc2000]

I'm so happy you went OON. People need to first realize that Delta's assignment of benefits policy is a tell. It shows their value proposition to dentists really isn't that strong, otherwise why threaten them with leaving? The best thing to do is to add a code next to the Delta group name in dentrix that could be a letter like "A" for respects assigment. Also color code the well paying plans the ok ones ane the bad ones "trader joes' with a "G" for greeen, Y, or R for red. Then your FD knows when they call this is a good group plan and the patient can expect decent OON benefits or hey we're happy to have you BUT they only pay $55 for a batch of recare codes. Assume every patient already likes you and that is why they are calling. Once you know how many "greens" are in your office, internal market them like crazy because you'll get almost your UCR in recare. They have family with the same plan. They have co-workers with the same plan. Fight hard for the greens. Remember, you can do it. Keep hygiene fees competitive to maximize retention. Restorative can increase. You can do it!

[@Joycethedentist]

The best thing I ever did. The only want I can pay my employees what they deserve too!

[@linkspider]

Delta Dental is the worst dental insurance, every billing is either denied as Subscriber Not Found or the billing is denied and reduced to pennies... I am dropping them too there is zero dollars to be made in fact you run at a loss with Delta and to add insult to injury they deny a claim and then point the finger at the dentist when the subscriber complains... And let's not start on the fact they tell the subscriber the dentist was paid...... Paid Claim $0 .... $0 is classified as a paid claim..... PS Good luck with getting the checks they send to your patients... Before we went in-Network they sent out checks to patients... Not a single patient brought the payment to our office in fact some became aggressive about not being contacted due to the checks being in the $800 range and they would deny receiving them, Delta balked at the fact the patients kept the check... The whole Delta Dental issue is a pain to deal with... The only way I see out-of-network working is to get the patient to pay in full, put the claim in for the patient, and let them know Delta will send a check directly to them. Again that would only work if the patient already knows your practice and does not want to go elsewhere.

[@yaztalli3578]

They are AH They kept auditing me to slow me down then I pulled out of network then they put me on focus review for every scaling till my OM called and threatened to report them to insurance commissioner! Some of the checks were pocketed by patients as well Best approach FD , have patient pay upfront , send a thorough letter to them to explain why ( regarding quality of work , experience , products used , lab used as well as insurance monopoly) Stick to your plan and stay out of network ! Proud of you

[@rjerez]

A few years ago I had an issue with my dentist and the insurance to the point where I just dropped my insurance and payed out of pocket. After doing the math it came out about the same in costs to me to just pay out of pocket for cleanings. Then out of the blue the prices just sky rocketed for no reason (this was precovid). When I asked why they couldn’t really explain it to me. So then I went back to the insurance. Looking at the breakdown of EOB the prices they charged me with insurance vs without made no sense. I would have though they would rather work directly with me than having to deal with insurance admin work, but based on the pricing difference it seems they give the insurance a better deal.

[@jofujino]

It is because the insurance company has the bargaining and negotiating power of thousands of customers. It is similar to why people join unions. You'll get a better deal when you bargain together. You would think then dentists would strongly prefer uninsured patients, but that's not always true either, since insured patients guarantees them they will be paid and they can assign more costly treatments as long as they stay within frequency and plan maxes since patients will rarely kick up a fuss about x-rays or comprehensive exams being not medically necessary if they aren't paying for it (or are paying something like a 30% copay on the reduced insurance prices).

[@Anthony_G37x]

As I was watching your video, I got this ad for a dissolving pill that apparently fixes a bunch of dental issues that a person can have, and it just seems sketchy and some things don't make sense lol

[@michellefetzer9651]

I just stumbled onto your channel because our office plans on dropping Delta by next year. I found your video informative. I did have a question...did you make the patients that still come to your practice pay in full for the visit since the check goes to them? We have almost 900 patients that have it. And honestly, I can't see the majority of them wanting to do that, but how else will you get paid. I've had patients take the checks and spend them. Deltas website to verify eligibility is a joke. But the biggest joke is their reimbursement...pathetic.

[@Joycethedentist]

It is very frustrating the way they do it! But yes we collect everything up front. It is the way.

[@G7sunbeam]

My job provides dental insurance but they’re changing to MetLife and 🤔 but anyways, I haven’t gone for a checkup in years and don’t think I need one. I had wisdom teeth that needed to be removed which I got done and I’m not in any pain anymore. I don’t use regular toothpaste or toothbrush anymore, I’m going natural for my well-being.

[@jeffrx]

As a patient, if I’m paying out of my paycheck to have dental insurance, I would prefer to stay in network and not have to jump through hoops. I also believe all Americans should have healthcare, including dental. Thanks for sharing your story though.

[@ianburkard]

This move by dentists to drop Delta is basically a strike. It's alienating a large percentage of patients. For what? This unrealistic hope of finding new customers, or existing customers that are willing to pay out of pocket after paying for Delta via their employer? It makes no sense. They are simply forcing patients to throw away money and go without care at the same time. Also, it's fine for patients/providers to question treatment options. It's also important for dentists to clearly explain treatment before doing anything. It's simply tiring for offices to manage, but it's all part of the show -- numbers game that the dentists want to win. Doctors want to do what they want to do without being questioned, bill and get paid. If done incorrectly, patients get stuck paying the remainder of inflated rates.

[@user-zo1rz7es3m]

why should we work with a company that forces us to lose money and tells us that we need to think about it as “giving back to the community”?

[@elizabethe.5527]

to be honest though, I still have them because I can't get out of the mindset that if I don't have insurance I'm going to go bankrupt. just terrified lol

[@Joycethedentist]

I think dental insurance is great to have if your company provides it! Buying an individual plan (imo) is not worth it though. I’m all for utilizing and maximizing the insurance you do have but they shouldn’t have the power dictate treatment. Thank you for your comment!

[@elizabethe.5527]

@@Joycethedentist my hospital does provide it. 😊 if I ever ~fall in love with a dentist~ I would definitely consider doing the clinic payment option (can't remember what those are called--didn't have those in my home state). good luck with your Delta Dental breakup 💖💐

[@thepambailey]

Who or how did you contact them to cancel your ppo participation?

[@natalieramirez6205]

I’m an office manager at a practice in Manhattan. We actually are in network with premier but pts who have a PPO fee sch, we just let them know the difference prior to the appts. We usually accept prev if it’s 100% to reel them in but when it comes to txtment we then calculate the diff from our premier fees. We tell the pts this though & 70% usually move forward to booking. Try it!

[@SamA-ho8uj]

I’m dropping Delta this year

[@Joycethedentist]

Woot woot!!

[@ianburkard]

Curious to know what your alternatives were. Or are you simply paying without an coverage, out of pocket? Have kids?

[@jdg9359]

I have delta dental ppo plus premiere with the state in CA, my previous dental office dropped delta too. Now I see why. The owner, dentist, had a great team of hygienist that I really miss. The dentist himself was nothing more than a used cars salesman tho. Always trying to sell me products and procedures, I felt I didn’t need. That was annoying. Found a new dentist who’s awesome and verified what I felt about the previous dentists BS recommendations. The downside, he does his own cleanings too. And he’s definitely not as polish as the previous office team of hygienists. But I get it, he’s trying to make a profit.

[@gary1913]

Delta location

[@elizabethe.5527]

YES DRAG THEM

[@kxb4777]

Insurance 👎

[@Joycethedentist]

😂

[@hawaiianfilter]

Well done. Delta is terrible.. God bless.

[@Mr.267LosAngeles]

Delta sucks period!!!!

[@Joycethedentist]

Agrreeeeeee

[@Lou-jf4rl]

It sounds like you dont know how to run a business or are being priced out of the market.

[@Joycethedentist]

@@Lou-jf4rl does it? It’s been a few years since I dropped and never looking back. I see less patients and spend more time with them. The practice is better than ever on all counts (revenue included)

[@Lou-jf4rl]

@Joycethedentist as history has shown time and time again. The best businesses scale by serving more customers, with increasing quality at a lower cost per service rendered. Meaning you charge customers less and less over time. This is the secret of moving a business from a million dollar one to a 100 million dollar business. You're essentially claiming to be a specialized boutique service. Eventually, you'll be pushed out of the market either with a buy out or out right lack of economic moat.

[@jcmo69]

greedy dentist who forgets it's the patients money and they are the customer

[@Joycethedentist]

Go to someone who takes your insurance if that’s important. “Customers” can decide where they go. Business owners can make their own financial decisions. It doesn’t make them greedy.

[@jcmo69]

@@Joycethedentist This is the money hungrey dentist that you're going to let work on your teeth. The one who wants to get you alone, upsell you services you don't need, and keep you from talking to your insurance to see if she's charging more than across the street. Avoid her like the plague.

[@jcmo69]

are you also selling botox and sleep apena treatments? I bet you do...something a real dentist wouldn't stoop too

[@jcmo69]

@@Joycethedentist their just money sitting in your chair aren't they not like there aren't enough people with bad teeth but you got to try and wring money out of the your customers just cuz you can fear them into it. You've lost your morals...

[@alexkin3265]

@Backyardwhatever...When you go for your dental visit you want to see nice/knowledgeable staff in front reception and in the back, you want to sit in a nice soft chair, have a nice/clean/modern office with high tech equipment, you want to have great looking restorations done well and fast, you want to have good anesthesia and great customer service, right?! Well.... Who do you think PAYS for it and PROVIDES that to you?! Dental office owner does! How about the office gets reimbursed 20-30% less now when they MUST be reimbursed more over time to compensate for inflation, at least?! Costs go up and compensation goes down and the owner tried to change things around and SHE is GREEDY?! You gotta to be out of your mind. Good, don't go to her then, i m sure her office doesnt need your kind of patients anyways.