Prep Date Versus Seat Date Considrations
Prep date versus seat date is a consideration. And especially as we near a patient’s benefit renewal. So, this is something we want to include in our insurance verification. Are prosthetics paid on prep or seat date? The answer to his question is key to benefit calculation. And can make the difference in getting paid and maintaining patient trust and satisfaction.
Benefits Expire
Especially when a patient’s benefits are about to expire and renew. However, keep in mind, there may be a roll-over factor as well. A patient may not need to use all their annual benefits or lose them. As they might just have a policy that allows for roll-over. And they may have a roll-over benefit available to them. Just another key piece of the pie!
What's The Difference?
We want to know if we bill our patient’s prosthetic procedure when we begin. Or do we send their insurance claim when we seat the final crown or bridge. Because those two procedure dates may fall within a different benefit year. And vastly change the amount the insurance policy will pay. Which of course, changes what we ask our patient to pay.
Prep Date Vs Seat Date With Insurance
And what about those patients with dual insurance? And they might even differ. Of course! One insurance might pay on prep date while the second plan might pay on seat date. Or the primary could pay on seat date, but the secondary pays on prep date. It is what it is. But here’s the thing. Make no promises to your patient about their insurance benefits. And encourage them to double check benefits and the math themselves.
Show Patients Your Calculations
Transparency is the best approach. And numbers are simply facts. So, try to create a calculation page and printout for your patient. Show them what you know about their benefits. Print up what is available and whatever you use. And keep it all simple and legible. Then, the patient can double check for themselves. Encourage this. And invite questions and teachable moments.
Knowledge is power. Yes it’s true. And when we show our patients the work required to generate their estimated insurance calculations, we reduce our work loads. We open the door for our patients to be empowered and aware. And we remove this “us against insurance” stigma. Let’s help our patients understand and put their benefits to work for their good.
Prep Date Vs Seat Date Calculations
Dental insurance is important to our patients. And our patients are important to us. So, let’s join in and line up with our patients to help them use the benefits they enjoy. And then, we can help them expand their care beyond the insurance restrictions and ramifications.
Once we are all on the same page, we can turn the page. And use these insurance benefits as a stepping stone to improved oral health and a better understanding.
