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Newsletters - May 2006
 

Articles
More Than 99% of Benefits Managers Would Recommend Delta Dental to Others, Says Survey
2005 Cost Containment Report Released
Satisfaction with Dental Benefits Influences Attitudes with Health Coverage
Online Eligibility Submissions Security Reminder
What People Say about Online Eligibility Submissions


More Than 99% of Benefits Managers Would Recommend Delta Dental to Others, Says Survey 

We are pleased to report that Delta Dental continues to receive high overall ratings from benefits managers.  In the 2005 Benefits Managers' Satisfaction Survey, more than 99% said they would recommend Delta Dental to other administrators.

English Communications, an independent communications research firm in Morristown, New Jersey, conducted the survey. Surveys were sent to benefits managers with the monthly bills. Also, a link to an electronic version of the survey was sent to benefits managers who are registered for online eligibility submission. 

How benefits managers rated our performance in 2005
Percentage that are satisfied with Delta Dental’s performance regarding:

  • Speed of claims processing—100%
  • Accuracy of claims processing—99%
  • Ease of program administration—99%
  • Accuracy of eligibility submissions processing—99%
  • Speed of eligibility submissions processing—99%
  • Ability to customize plan design to your needs—99%
  • Eligibility submissions process overall—98%
  • Ability to locate a participating dentist—98%
  • Access to information—98%
  • Accuracy of information—98%
  • Overall value of the program—99%
  • Employee satisfaction—97%
  • Price—96%

Additional findings:

  • Benefits managers rated Delta Dental’s communications performance highly. More than 9 in 10 are satisfied with our communications overall.
  • Most benefits managers spend less than one hour per week assisting employees with Delta Dental claims. More than 99% said they spent about the right amount of time or less time than expected.

2005 Cost Containment Report Released

Delta Dental’s cost containment programs saved groups more than $183.8 million in 2005. We also paid a record $418.2 million in claims in 2005.

These are among the findings of our 2005 Cost Containment Report. 

Delta Dental of New Jersey reports cost containment savings in eight key areas: in-network savings, contractual limitations, eligibility verification, non-covered services, dentist consultant review, optional services, non-billable services, and COB savings.

To view the entire 2005 Cost Containment Report, visit our Web site at www.deltadentalnj.com; click “Employers” and “Cost Containment.”


Satisfaction with Dental Benefits Influences Attitudes with Health Coverage

A recent study has found that employees who are highly satisfied with their dental benefits plans are also more likely to be satisfied with their medical coverage. 

The study was conducted by Wilson Health Information LLC, a health-care research firm in New Hope, PA, and reported in the February 2006 issue of Managed Dental Care.

“Nearly all respondents who are highly satisfied with dental care coverage are satisfied with their health insurance overall,” said Jim Wilson, RPh, MBA, president of Wilson Health Information LLC. “And nearly two out of three are highly satisfied. Further, as their satisfaction with dental care coverage declines, their satisfaction with their health plan declines considerably.”

According to the Wilson Health Information survey, 71% of respondents nationwide are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their dental coverage. Satisfaction rates among Delta Dental subscribers in New Jersey and Connecticut are significantly higher than the national average. In our 2005 survey, 83% of subscribers said they are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with Delta Dental.


Online Eligibility Submissions Security Reminder

A growing number of benefit managers submit eligibility changes online to Delta Dental. Online eligibility submissions is a fast, easy way to add, delete and update subscriber information. 

Please remember to notify Delta Dental whenever someone new assumes responsibility for submitting eligibility online. New benefits administrators should contact our Enrollment Department at (973) 285-4144 to register and receive a password. 

Also, please contact our Enrollment Department when benefits administrators leave the company or no longer have responsibility for submitting eligibility changes. We need to remove the person’s name and password from our system in order to prevent unauthorized access. 

Some former benefits administrators have “handed over” their passwords to new administrators. This is unwise because it means we don’t have a current e-mail address if we need to contact the benefits administrator about a submission problem. Also, keeping information about benefits administrators up to date protects your company by denying access from unauthorized users.


What People Say about Online Eligibility Submissions

Have you thought about submitting eligibility changes online to Delta Dental but worry that you don’t have time to learn how? Fear not, says Mary Lou Cottingham, secretary to the business administrator at the Fair Haven Board of Education. 

“It’s sooooo easy,” says Cottingham. She began submitting eligibility changes online three years ago, and now submits them all online. 

“It’s great! I can’t believe there’s anyone left who doesn’t use it,” she says. “There’s no need for mail or fax. You can do it almost whenever you want. You don’t need to wait for the office staff at Delta Dental to get in and answer the phone.” 

The system is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, except holidays. 

It takes just a few minutes to get started. Call Customer Service at (973) 285-4144 anytime Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for your password. Then, go to www.deltadentalnj.com, click "Employers," and sign into the Administrator's Logon area. You're ready to go!

 
 
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