Alberta's NDP government will create a dental fee guide

[Lubicon]

So to bump this thread. This morning our HR folks sent out a notice from our benefits provider that they will cover dental costs as per the new fee guide in Alberta which I suppose is not unexpected. Probably means an increase in out of pocket expenses for the family now but I won't be able to confirm how much of a change until our next appointments.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

So to bump this thread. This morning our HR folks sent out a notice from our benefits provider that they will cover dental costs as per the new fee guide in Alberta which I suppose is not unexpected. Probably means an increase in out of pocket expenses for the family now but I won't be able to confirm how much of a change until our next appointments.

NDP policy costs families more. Surprising.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Hes

NDP policy costs families more. Surprising.

I think it was the exorbitant fees in Alberta that was costing everybody more.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I think it was the exorbitant fees that was costing everybody more.

I think Hes' point was that for the most part insurance companies would cover it, but now those insurance companies will only cover what is covered in the fee guide.

So if your dentist charges more than the NDP say they should your dentist may not alter their fees but your insurance company has grounds to cover less, leaving people and their families on the hook for more.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think Hes' point was that for the most part insurance companies would cover it, but now those insurance companies will only cover what is covered in the fee guide.

So if your dentist charges more than the NDP say they should your dentist may not alter their fees but your insurance company has grounds to cover less, leaving people and their families on the hook for more.

exactly.
I also received a memo stating my insurance company will now only cover up to the cost in the fee guide.

I think wormius forgets that it is only a guide and it doesn't mean most dentists have to or will lower prices. (probably the crappy dentists who have trouble getting patients will)

our HR people framed it as an excellent chance to shop around and find the best prices.
they might as well said to go see Dr. Nick.
what good options. spend my time searching for the cheapest dentist regardless of skill level and location, or pay more out of pockets which are not deep to begin with.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by Nufy

A guide will do nothing unless its enforced.

Waste of time without regulation.

Yep...called it...

[Dentoman]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think Hes' point was that for the most part insurance companies would cover it, but now those insurance companies will only cover what is covered in the fee guide.

So if your dentist charges more than the NDP say they should your dentist may not alter their fees but your insurance company has grounds to cover less, leaving people and their families on the hook for more.

Correct. NDP expects small business owners to absorb it all while insurance companies end up saving money.
Everyone should ask their insurance provider if they plan on lowering their premiums since they will be paying out at least 8% less than they did a year ago. Sunlife has publicly said they will not.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I wonder if this will backfire. Dentists will still charge high rates, and insurance companies will decide to only cover up to the fee guide cost. Then we are left on the hook for the rest.

My insurance has already decided to cut back from 6 months to 1 year between visits.

Another quote...But I think we all know this was gonna happen...

[Fuzz]

Just call me Nostradamus.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Just call me Nostradamus.

Go get in the Alberta Politics thread and tell us how this Minimum Wage fiasco is going to unfold.

[Northendzone]

not sure how small business winds up covering the costs over the fee guide. As all that happens is that the dentist bills you $300, the insurer would reimburse and amount - say $210 leaving you the patient to pay the rest. Not sure how the business owner gets digned.

the premium rates for group insurance are based on annual premiums and claims, plus allowances for plan reserves and future expected inflation (here in alberta that number has been traditionally around 5% per year) and increased utilization (around 3% annually).

In a perfect word, the premium rates you are currently paying will not ened to change for 2018; however, it would also depend on the ratio of premiums to claims (the overall loss ratio).

[Zarley]

What exactly is this government meddling meant to accomplish? People were entirely capable of comparison shopping prior to a fee guide coming out.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Zarley

What exactly is this government meddling meant to accomplish? People were entirely capable of comparison shopping prior to a fee guide coming out.

optics.
it doesn't matter to them if they actually do anything positive for the province. they just want to look like they are.

[Northendzone]

this was happening before the introduction of the AB fee guide. The dentists would charge whatever, but the insurers would determine the reasonable and customary charge - the patient paid the difference.

to me the only thing the fee guide does, is provide a patient with an easy way to measure how much more their dentist is charging.

Originally Posted by Locke

I think Hes' point was that for the most part insurance companies would cover it, but now those insurance companies will only cover what is covered in the fee guide.

So if your dentist charges more than the NDP say they should your dentist may not alter their fees but your insurance company has grounds to cover less, leaving people and their families on the hook for more.

[llwhiteoutll]

Originally Posted by Zarley

What exactly is this government meddling meant to accomplish? People were entirely capable of comparison shopping prior to a fee guide coming out.

Was meant to generate good press that would seem to show them caring about people by lowing costs and stopping the greedy dentists from charging “too much”.

Then, when people are out of pocket because the NDP didn’t actually do anything except lower what insurance companies will pay, the NDP can blame the dentists once again for not following the guide and insurance companies for following it and not covering procedures

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

this was happening before the introduction of the AB fee guide. The dentists would charge whatever, but the insurers would determine the reasonable and customary charge - the patient paid the difference.

to me the only thing the fee guide does, is provide a patient with an easy way to measure how much more their dentist is charging.

Exactly, should your dentist quote you a price for a certain procedure, you can now consult the fee guideline to understand if it’s reasonable or if you should be seeking a new opinion/new dentist

[Dentoman]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

not sure how small business winds up covering the costs over the fee guide. As all that happens is that the dentist bills you $300, the insurer would reimburse and amount - say $210 leaving you the patient to pay the rest. Not sure how the business owner gets digned.

If the patient refuses to stay in the practice due to increased copay + insurance company does not lessen its premiums to assist patient to pay the increased copay = small business eats the cost of the fee guide.

My office will follow the 2017 Fee Guide put out in the fall. The further reduction in the 2018 Fee Guide is too significant for me to absorb and I refuse to reduce wages for my staff since they are likely more valuable to my patient base than I am (some have been with me for 20 years). I will look for efficiencies and try to negotiate lower supply costs, but really, outside of wages, there is not much wiggle room on a lot of costs.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I think it was the exorbitant fees in Alberta that was costing everybody more.

exorbitant - as in unreasonably high?

so many people say this without having a clue about what it costs to operate a private practice.

yes, I do think the prices are too high at the dentist. exorbitant? that can be argued.

[V]

Originally Posted by Locke

Go get in the Alberta Politics thread and tell us how this Minimum Wage fiasco is going to unfold.

Why there's still anyone posting in that thread anymore is far beyond my comprehension.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Dentoman

If the patient refuses to stay in the practice due to increased copay + insurance company does not lessen its premiums to assist patient to pay the increased copay = small business eats the cost of the fee guide.

My office will follow the 2017 Fee Guide put out in the fall. The further reduction in the 2018 Fee Guide is too significant for me to absorb and I refuse to reduce wages for my staff since they are likely more valuable to my patient base than I am (some have been with me for 20 years). I will look for efficiencies and try to negotiate lower supply costs, but really, outside of wages, there is not much wiggle room on a lot of costs.

you likely can't negotiate lower supply costs without using inferior product.
you probably have to use a distributor as you can't afford to have a dedicated purchaser who can haggle with and purchase from scores of manufacturers.
especially when there wouldn't be much of a volume discount and you'd have to deal with shipping, US exchange rates and customs charges, staggered deliveries and extended shipping times.