Articles
Delta Dental Now Serves 1.4 Million People in NJ, CT, Says Annual Report
X-Ray Reminder
DOI Approves Delta Dental's Fee Updates to Dentists
Foundation Provides Widespread Support for UMDNJ Programs
Professional Relations Department Expands
Credentialing Nears Completion
SAFECO Offers Preferred Discounts, Services to Delta Dental Participating Dentists
Delta Dental Foundation Continues Seminar Series for Dentists
Family Service of Morris County Honors Delta Dental
Delta Dental to Launch New Online 'Benefits Connection' This Summer

Delta Dental Now Serves 1.4 Million People in NJ, CT, Says Annual Report

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey added more than 100,000 new subscribers in 2000. Our new sales topped $30 million, total subscription revenue exceeded $300 million, and the number of groups served in New Jersey and Connecticut once again increased. These were just some of Delta Dental's achievements, which are highlighted in our 2000 Annual Report.

Other accomplishments include:

• Achieving an impressive "AA-" Standard & Poor's rating of our financial strength.
• Maintaining a customer-retention rate of 95 percent - a rate we have consistently maintained for the past 13 years.
• Processing more than 2.3 million claims, including nearly 800,000 electronic claims - doubling the number of electronic claims that we processed just three years ago.
• Improving our average claim cycle time, dropping it to 7.8 business days.
• Introducing technological enhancements such as Computer Telephony Integration, or CTI, which saves callers and Customer Service Agents valuable time.
• Continuously upgrading our Internet presence by adding such features as online directions to offices of network dentists.

To request a copy of the 2000 Annual Report, send an e-mail to bbuccos@deltadentalnj.com, or call Bea Buccos at 973-285-4201.

X-Ray Reminder

When submitting duplicate x-rays that don't need to be returned, be sure to label them "DUPLICATE - DO NOT RETURN." Doing so will help us cut down on administrative costs, which results in savings to our employer groups and ultimately to your patients. Also, all x-rays should be clearly labeled with the date, patient name, identification number, and the dentist's name and address for identification purposes. X-ray envelopes not labeled or marked will be destroyed.

DOI Approves Delta Dental's Fee Updates to Dentists

Fees for three of Delta Dental's programs - DeltaPreferred Option and Delta's Advantage Program in New Jersey, and DeltaPreferred Option in Connecticut - will be increased starting July 1, 2001. All new groups beginning July 1 and groups renewing July 1 and after are eligible for the higher fees.

New fee schedules will be mailed to all dental offices this summer. If you do not receive an updated schedule, or want information about participating in any of Delta Dental's programs, please contact our Dental Network Coordinators at 888-396-6641.

Foundation Provides Widespread Support for UMDNJ Programs

Delta Dental is a longtime partner in a number of programs with the University of medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). Delta Dental's philanthropic arm, the Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation, supports a number of programs at the school to further dental education and promote dental health.

"Delta Dental is committed to promoting oral health by providing accessible dental programs of the highest quality, service and value," says Gerald A. Sydell, D.D.S., Chairman of the Board of Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc. "What better way to complement this objective than through our Foundation's support of UMDNJ." Areas of support include:

• Continuing education programs. Foundation funding has enabled the school to expand programming for dental professionals, says Susan Lordi, Administrative Director of Continuing Dental Education at UMDNJ. "Delta Dental's Foundation provides us with the resources to bring quality programs and world-renowned speakers to practitioners in New Jersey," she says. Adds Jerome Engel, D.D.S., Dental Director for Continuing Dental Education at UMDNJ, "We are greatly appreciative of the Foundation's support over the years. It allows us to substantially enhance our continuing education offerings and offer programming that we could not otherwise provide."
• Scholarships. The Foundation funds scholarships for future dentists and dental assistants through grants to the UMDNJ alumni association. Four years ago the Foundation also endowed the Dr. Joseph Pollack memorial Scholarship, named after Delta Dental Plan of new Jersey's founder and first chairman. Found dental students received this scholarship last year. "The Foundation is dedicated to helping educate the next generation of dentists to serve New Jersey," says Dr. Sydell.
• Equipment an research grants. The Foundation last year purchased a state-of-the-art microscope for instructional and research purposes, and provided grants for several smaller microscopes in 2001. "This type of specialized equipment is essential for training the dental practitioners and researchers of tomorrow," says Dr. Sydell, adding, "The college is our best source of dental research in the state." The Foundation recently began discussions with the school to identify potential research projects for funding. The first major Foundation-funded project is expected to be announced later this year.
• Clinic funding. "Through our continued support of the college's clinics around the state, our underserved population receives dental care that would otherwise be unattainable," says Dr. Sydell.

Our Foundation was created to meet all of these needs," says Dr. Sydell. "Supporting UMDNJ is one way we can make a significant contribution to improving the oral health of the people of New Jersey."

Professional Relations Department Expands

In order to better serve participating dentists, Delta Dental recently expanded the size and services of our Professional Relations Department. The department now includes Network Development Manager Bea Buccos and three Dental Network Coordinators: Desiree Fusco, Charlene Yurko, and our newest addition, Beth DeCapio, who was previously Delta Dental's Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Coordinator.

In addition, Professional Relations has assumed responsibility for educating dental offices about EDI and how to submit electronic claims. Anytime you have a question about Delta Dental programs or services but don't know where to begin, start by contacting our Dental Network Coordinators. Dental Network Coordinators serve as liaisons between the dental community and Delta Dental. They can:

• Answer participation inquiries
• Provide plan descriptions
• Answer questions about claims
• Explain Delta Dental's processing policies
• Provide you with a copy of our Participating Dentist's Handbook
• Provide a customized list of employer groups covered by Delta Dental in your area
• Explain how to submit electronic claims
• Explain the features of Delta Dental's In-Net Program, a value-added program for participating dentists that provides discounts on many items your practice may need in the coming year, from dental supplies and equipment, to professional liability coverage and practice management software and hardware. It even includes a free Internet home page. To schedule a visit from the Dental Network Coordinator in your area, call 888-396-6641.

  Beth DeCapio, serving northern New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Union and Sussex counties) - 973-285-4035;

  Desiree Fusco, serving all of Connecticut - 860-585-9896; and

  Charlene Yurko, serving central and southern New Jersey (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, Somerset and Warren counties) - 973-285-4202.

To find out about participation in the DeltaCare program, please call Cathy Edwards at 973-285-4048.

Credentialing Nears Completion

More than 90 percent of participating Delta Dental dentists in New Jersey have completed the credentialing process. If you are one of the few who have not, please make this a priority! Every dentist in a practice must submit a credentialing questionnaire or they will lose their participating status with Delta Dental. If you haven't yet received your credentialing packet, please contact our Credentialing Department at 888-203-6993. Completed credentialing questionnaires should be sent to:

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc.
Attention: Credentialing Department
P.O. Box 222
Parsippany, New Jersey 07054

Please be sure that the questionnaire is complete and all required supporting documents are enclosed before submitting. Incomplete applications may delay the credentialing process.

SAFECO Offers Preferred Discounts, Services to Delta Dental Participating Dentists
By Louis Barbaro, J.D., CFP, Vice President, Herbert L. Jamison & Co., L.L.C.

• A special 10% premium discount (over and above other available discounts) for qualified dentists credentialed by Delta Dental and insured for malpractice protection/professional liability under the SAFECO Preferred Dental Professional Liability Insurance Program.
• "State-of-the-Art" professional liability protection, including license defense, contractual liability coverage, defense in addition to limits and many other important insurance protections.
• Either "occurrence" or "claims-made with prior acts protection" policies. The "prior acts" protection offered under the SAFECO "claims-made" policies means that you do not have to buy a "Tail" or Extended Reporting Endorsement under your prior policy when you switch to the SAFECO "claims-made" policy.
• Liability limits up to $5 million.

Once you are insured by SAFECO under the "claims-made" policy, you are entitled to a free "Tail" under the following circumstances:

• If you become permanently and totally disabled during the policy period, you get an unlimited "Tail" at no charge; or
• If you die during the policy period, your estate gets a "Tail" at no additional charge; or
• If you retire at any age (there are no age requirements such as 55 or 60 as is the case with other programs), you get a free "Tail" as long as you have been insured with SAFECO for at least the five years immediately preceding the date of retirement.

SAFECO policies can be issued on an individual basis or can insure all dentists in an office under one policy with each dentist having his or her own separate limits and with the entity being provided a separate limit at no additional charge. Groups of three or more dentists under one policy can obtain a sizable premium discount in addition to all other available discounts.

Barbaro answers frequently asked questions about the SAFECO Program.

If I switch to the SAFECO Program, do I need to purchase a "Tail" or Extended Reporting Endorsement from my current insurer?

Certainly not. The SAFECO policy will accept the retroactive date for prior acts coverage contained in your current policy so that any new claims made after the SAFECO policy goes into effect, which are reported during the term of the SAFECO policy, will be handled under the SAFECO policy even if the acts, errors, omissions or mistakes which caused the claim occurred prior to the inception of the SAFECO policy. As long as the matter is otherwise covered by the policy and as long as the acts, errors, omissions or mistakes causing the claim occurred after the retroactive date for prior acts coverage, the SAFECO policy will respond and provide you with protection up to the policy limits. (Existing claims previously reported to other insurers would continue to be handled by those other insurers.)

Can SAFECO settle a claim without my consent?

No. SAFECO will not settle a Professional Liability claim without your consent. After all, your reputation as a dentist is at stake.

Will SAFECO help me if I am confronted with a situation where someone threatens me with a malpractice claim or a patient is very critical of my work, fee or the like and I need assistance in responding?

Yes. SAFECO's experienced claims personnel are ready to help all SAFECO insureds in circumstances such as this. SAFECO provides a toll-free advice line, which insured dentists can use to request assistance.

If I am sued, will SAFECO appoint local attorneys in my state to defend me?

Yes. You will be defended by attorneys in your state who specialize in handling dental malpractice/professional liability claims.

Can I obtain employment practices liability insurance coverage, not just defense but also damage protection, under my SAFECO Dental Professional Liability policy?

Yes. Additional limits of liability ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for damage protection and defense combined are available for a modest additional charge ranging from $50 to $125.

Can I get general liability coverage and office package coverage (property, contents, valuable papers, valued daily business income protection and more) from SAFECO?

Yes. These coverages are available at competitive pricing.

To learn more about SAFECO and Jamison, or to receive a no-obligation estimate, please call Lou Barbaro toll-free at 800-JAMISON (800-526-4766), extension 352 or e-mail him at lbarbaro@jamisongroup.com. NOTE: The above information constitutes a simplified description of elements of the SAFECO Preferred Dental Professional Liability Insurance Program and does not alter or change the provisions of the SAFECO policy. For complete details of coverages, conditions, limits and exclusions, please refer to the policy, including all endorsements.

Delta Dental Foundation Continues Seminar Series for Dentists

Last year the FDA approved 150 new drugs, some with the potential to interact with dental medications. Delta Dental Foundation's latest educational seminar for dentists provided an update on what dentists need to know about dental pharmacology and therapeutics.

Harold L. Crossley D.D.S., Ph.D., an internationally renowned expert in the field of clinical pharmacology of dental drugs and Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Maryland Dental School, presented the seminar, which was held May 30 at the Merrill Lynch Conference Center in Plainsboro, New Jersey. All participants in this seminar received a free copy of the Drug Information Handbook for Dentistry - 6th edition, co-authored by Dr. Crossley.

The seminar received glowing reviews. "This was one of the best seminars I've attended. The speaker was very informative in an entertaining way," said one. Another added, "Dr. Crossley was the absolute best presenter/speaker/lecturer I have had the pleasure of listening to." A third person noted, "I enjoyed this seminar as much as the one last fall. Keep up the great speakers!"

The Foundation presents its next dental seminar on November 7 at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, New Jersey. Watch for details later this summer.

Family Service of Morris County Honors Delta Dental

The Board of Managers of Family Service of Morris County honored Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey for its "commitment to children and the community" at its 39th annual spring ball on March 31. The program for the event, called "A Celebration of Families," detailed Delta Dental's contribution to Family Service, as well as many other community outreach programs throughout New Jersey. Some of those include Special Olympics New Jersey, Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey, PANDA (Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness), Matheny School and Hospital, the Dover Free Clinic and many more. "Clearly, Delta Dental cares about the families of New Jersey," said the program.

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey has been affiliated with Family Service of Morris County since the 1980s. Family Service of Morris County is a nonprofit agency serving the greater Morris area. Founded in 1813, Family Service helps families by providing a variety of vital services to families and individuals including professional counseling, education, advocacy, and support. The agency reaches out to special people in need such as the blind, victims of trauma, single-parent families, and the elderly. Family Service has five locations in Morris County - Flanders, Rockaway, Madison, Succasunna, and Morristown.

Delta Dental to Launch New Online 'Benefits Connection' This Summer

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey is about to roll out a new online service this summer called Benefits Connection, which will make it possible for dental offices to receive instant, detailed information about their patients' Delta Dental benefits via the convenience of the Internet. The online service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Access to information is password-protected and secure.

Using the online Benefits Connection, dental offices can quickly access the information they need about a patient's eligibility and benefits coverage. The system is designed to be extremely user-friendly and intuitive to use. At the same time, Benefits Connection provides a powerful link to information dental offices need to better serve their patients. Dentists can view onscreen and print out complete details about their patients' coverage, so they, together with their patients, can make informed decisions.

Benefits Connection can also save your office time by eliminating the need to call Delta Dental's Customer Service Department about a patient's eligibility. In less than 30 seconds, you could find your answer through Benefits Connection! Watch for more information about Benefits Connection shortly.