Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[Dentoman]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Are there enough Dentists that are getting onboard with the national program? I had read that only about 20% of clinics were signed up or thinking about signing up and the vast majority of those are in urban areas so the program doesn't effectively assist people living in rural areas.

Rural no. Urban probably (420 dentists in Calgary so far).
I have not signed up. Administration burden is too much for my office, and honestly, I don't trust Sunlife to administer this program fairly.

[The Fisher Account]

My biggest concern if I were someone who didn't have access to affordable dental services would definitely be the administrative burden of the facility

[Dentoman]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

My biggest concern if I were someone who didn't have access to affordable dental services would definitely be the administrative burden of the facility

Staff in short supply and existing staff operating at full capacity. No room to add extra work required for Canadian Dental Plan. Gotta look at it from an individual business perspective as well. Doesn't work for me but may work for others

[BlackArcher101]

What extra burden does this place on the facility/dentist office? If Sun Life is managing it, does submittal of claim work similar to a work place Sun Life plan or are there extra steps?

[Dentoman]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

What extra burden does this place on the facility/dentist office? If Sun Life is managing it, does submittal of claim work similar to a work place Sun Life plan or are there extra steps?

Extra steps with this plan. Verify enrolment and coverage, significantly more predetermination requirements, communication about copayments and balance billing with patient who is not aware of the requirements, post treatment hold back of payments until further info submitted, if treatment not approved post treatment payments clawed back, potential audits. Procedure limitations. All at a discounted fee.
Like I stated, could work for offices with extra capacity. I don't have that capacity.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by Dentoman

Extra steps with this plan. Verify enrolment and coverage, significantly more predetermination requirements, communication about copayments and balance billing with patient who is not aware of the requirements, post treatment hold back of payments until further info submitted, if treatment not approved post treatment payments clawed back, potential audits. Procedure limitations. All at a discounted fee.
Like I stated, could work for offices with extra capacity. I don't have that capacity.

Would the requirements portion not be handled by the insurer rather then the dental office? I’m not overly familiar with the legislation but would most of these issues not be the same when dealing with any other private insurer?

My understanding of the plan was that an individual under the plan would be given an insurance card to present to their dentist’s office but if that’s different I would definitely like to know.

Personally I don’t doubt that there’s probably going to be issues with the plan either way so I think it’s important for those to be brought to the general public’s attention, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little concerned with the thought of the UCP implementing their own plan given their parties’ historic close ties to private insurers.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I do wonder if there would've been an appetite for federal dollars in lieu to help fund the current ABX offering the province pays for?

Outright denial seems more political than fiscal

She said she wants the $ from the Feds with no strings so if she gets her way it's probably going straight to whatever lobbyist is loudest tomorrow.

[Dentoman]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

Would the requirements portion not be handled by the insurer rather then the dental office? I’m not overly familiar with the legislation but would most of these issues not be the same when dealing with any other private insurer?


Have to verify in office at every appointment. The administrative burden has been significantly downloaded to the dental office. Sunlife basically polices the program and holds the purse strings. Regular private plans would never ask you to preauth a simple check up or cleaning or basic restorative. Not the same with government plan

My understanding of the plan was that an individual under the plan would be given an insurance card to present to their dentist’s office but if that’s different I would definitely like to know.

I think this is the case but still need to verify eligibility every appointment

Personally I don’t doubt that there’s probably going to be issues with the plan either way so I think it’s important for those to be brought to the general public’s attention, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little concerned with the thought of the UCP implementing their own plan given their parties’ historic close ties to private insurers.

I am also concerned with the UCP government handling this program as they have recently moved the administration of Alberta's dental programs to Blue Cross. The transition has not been smooth. Alberta Dental Service Corporation was administering it previously and it had very few issues

--

[Knut]

The administrative burden on offices from government run programs is crazy and often they do not pay out consistently. We are waiting for payments from January right now.

I understand an office not wanting to take that on, especially if they are already operating at capacity with staff and patients.

There is an extreme medical staff shortage right now. Alot of owner Doctors are taking on some admin burdenn as well.

[Ozy_Flame]

There's no other way to describe this UCP propaganda video other than they are terrified.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1806380107268816940

Get 'em, Naheed.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

There's no other way to describe this UCP propaganda video other than they are terrified.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1806380107268816940

Get 'em, Naheed.

What a bunch of losers

Trouble is much of the UCP mouth breathers will lap that up

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

There's no other way to describe this UCP propaganda video other than they are terrified.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1806380107268816940

Get 'em, Naheed.

They are just pathetic. I feel sorry for actual conservatives in this country with how bad the reform-acons have destroyed their creditability.

[Muta]

If they're doing these types of attack ads this early before the next election (3.5 years!!!)... the UCP is ####ing terrified. If they weren't, they'd just roll their eyes and continuing their daily pillaging of this province as per normal.

[KelVarnsen]

Danielle Smith: Trudeau wants Albertans to have teeth and I won’t stand for that
https://www.thebeaverton.com/2024/06...tand-for-that/

[Ozy_Flame]

And, Nenshi responds to the UCP's McCarthy-esque video slop like a boss.

It's amazing how refreshing a positive, pragmatic and dialed-in message can be in today's toxic cesspool of politics.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1806467379649777783

[Mathgod]

^ Can that guy run for US president somehow?

[Slanter]

What has he got in his pockets?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Slanter

What has he got in his pockets?

What hasnt he got in his pockets??

He's like a one-man magic show.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Slanter

What has he got in his pockets?

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

And, Nenshi responds to the UCP's McCarthy-esque video slop like a boss.

It's amazing how refreshing a positive, pragmatic and dialed-in message can be in today's toxic cesspool of politics.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1806467379649777783

He should start goading Smith into calling an early election while she can still try to use the “Trudeau’s pick” angle because it’s not gonna have the same effect in 2027.