GOVERNMENT RELATIONS continued
2013-14 Legislative Priorities
PDA will focus on the following legislative issues during the upcoming 2013-14 session .
Assignment of Benefits
PDA continues to educate lawmakers on the importance of passing HB 1536 , legislation that would require insurers to assign benefits directly to the provider . Many legislators believe direct payment is beneficial for patients participating with insurance companies , but this process too often leaves you and your staff wasting valuable time to collect payments from insurance plans to which you do not belong . Legislators need to learn how passing this legislation will not only improve the efficiency of your office , but will help patients choose dental providers .
Donated Dental Services PDA will introduce legislation addressing Pennsylvania ’ s Donated Dental
Services ( DDS ) program . Following the state ’ s fiscal crisis in 2009 , funding for the program was cut . Dental Lifeline Network , which runs the DDS program , faces the possibility of DPW eliminating the program . The DDS program has successfully connected the state ’ s most vulnerable citizens with dentists who volunteer their time and money to provide them with oral health care . From its inception , DDS has successfully partnered the private and public sectors . By completely cutting the program , DDS volunteers could no longer treat the disabled , elderly , and medically compromised who are ineligible for public assistance .
Medical Assistance Reforms and Funding
The Adult Medical Assistance Program remains in regulatory limbo . After the legislature empowered DPW Secretary Gary Alexander to decide how available funding is allocated to adult Medical Assistance ( MA ), PDA learned that a number of changes would go into effect . Among these changes were limits on examinations and cleaning , the elimination of coverage for crowns , endodontics , and periodontal services , and a limit of one denture per lifetime , regardless of procedure code used .
During this current legislative session , PDA hopes to work with the General Assembly to enact meaningful reforms to the MA program , removing financial and administrative barriers for your practice .
Additional Reform Efforts In addition to Assignment of Benefits legislation , Medical Assistance reforms and Donated Dental Services funding , PDA will continue to monitor a number of issues and developments throughout the session year . Although the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010 , a number of provisions that have not yet kicked in will go into effect during the current legislative session . PDA will represent dentistry ’ s interests if the Commonwealth implements a health insurance exchange and complies with other federal health care reform measures . PDA will also respond to any additional access to care , regulatory , dental practice ownership , safety and oral health issues or reforms that arise during the 2013-14 session .
Log on to the Advocacy section of the website at www . padental . org , for information about the legislation PDA monitors and responds to on your behalf .
Want to get involved in helping us pass legislation that impacts your profession and patients ? Learn how by contacting PDA ’ s government relations staff at ( 800 ) 22-0016 , or mss @ padental . org . Or check out the Get Involved section under the Advocacy tab on the front page of the website .
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