G ove r n men t Re lat ions
services upfront. Faced with this situation,
many custodial parent postpone or avoid
care altogether. This could also impact the
dentist, who sympathizes with the parent
and sees the child without requiring
advanced payment. Often, these dentists
are never paid.
Patients residing in rural areas are placed
at a disadvantage as there may only be a
handful of dentists who are in-network.
Patients may have to incur more traveling
time and expense to seek treatment from
an in-network provider, rather than being
treated by a non-participating dentist who
practices in closer proximity.
Twenty-three other states have enacted
assignment of benefits laws.
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MA R CH/A P R I L 2018 | P EN N S YLVA N IA D EN TA L J O UR N A L