Each year, the Dentist Nominating Committee recommends a candidate for election to the Delta Dental of Kansas' (DDKS) Board of Directors. Dr. Alan Marcotte, Chairman of the DDKS Board, appointed Dr. Mark Edwards to chair the Dentist Nominating Committee. Nominations may be submitted to Dr. Mark Edwards at:

P.O. Box 789769

Wichita, KS 67278-9769

 or

 pr@deltadentalks.com

Interested parties will be asked to meet with the Nominating Committee at DDKS headquarters (1619 N Waterfront Parkway, Wichita, KS 67206) on June 20, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

The election will be held at the DDKS Participating Dentist Annual Meeting on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. at the Delta Dental of Kansas Office (1619 Waterfront Parkway, Wichita, KS).

Dr. Sullivan assumed his role over Professional Services on January 25, 2019 reporting to Michael Herbert, President and CEO of Delta Dental of Kansas. Dr. Sullivan has executive oversight of Professional Relations and Professional Review and is responsible for setting clinical policies, and overseeing network development, utilization and quality management.

Dr. Sullivan’s career is extensive. He most recently served as the Chief Dental Officer at Envolve Dental. Previously, he served as Director of Professional Services for Delta Dental of California, Dental Director/Clinical Director at Blue Shield of California, Chief Dental Officer at PacifiCare Dental and Vision, as well as Vice President of Sales and Professional Relations at United Concordia Companies, Inc.

Dr. Sullivan received his DDS from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, and his MBA from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Sullivan owned and operated a dental practice that focused on treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea and TMJ disorders. He is currently licensed to practice dentistry in 11 states, including the state of Kansas.

“We are extremely happy to have Dr. Sullivan join our DDKS family,” said Michael Herbert. "His breadth of experiences will help Delta Dental remain the top dental carrier in the state.”

Delta Dental of Kansas is looking for Participating Dentists interested in becoming Regional Dental Consultants.

Delta Dental of Kansas obtains second opinions through its Regional Dental Consultant network. A Regional Dental Consultant conducts clinical examinations, prepares objective reports of dental conditions, and evaluates treatment that is proposed or has been provided at the request of Delta Dental of Kansas. Interested candidates must be a Participating Dentist with Delta Dental of Kansas. It is our goal to have Regional Dental Consultants in all areas of the state.

If you are interested in being a Regional Dental Consultant, or have additional questions regarding the opportunity, please send inquiries and resumes to consultant@deltadentalks.com.

Thank you for your consideration.

Addition of Termination Date to Patient Benefits

When we are aware of a Delta Dental of Kansas member's upcoming termination date, we will provide that information within the Dentist Account.

Patient Enrollment Period: 11/1/2005 - 5/1/2019

If there is no known termination date, you will only see the enrollment start date.

Ability to View Current Benefits Near Plan Year End

In the past, when viewing your patient's benefits near the end of their plan year, your patient's benefits would reset a few weeks before the actual end of their plan year causing confusion.

We have updated your online dentist account experience so you will only see your patient's current benefits.

The Delta Dental of Kansas offices will be closed

May 27 - Memorial Day

July 4 - Independence Day

Upcoming Events

Understanding Dental Insurance Seminar Opportunities:

6/7/2019 - Wichita, KS (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

6/14/2019 - Leawood, KS (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

Registration and more information available here.

Delta Dental Participating Dentist Handbook

The dentist handbook is an extension of the Participating Dentist Agreement and is designed to provide important information related to the general processing policies and guidelines for all ADA CDT procedure codes, along with other helpful information such as definitions, submitting claims, appeals and using electronic services.

The 2019 handbook will be available online by December 31, 2018. To access, log in to your dentist account and click on the "Documents & Dentist Handbook" section.

If you need assistance creating or navigating your dentist account, contact our Customer Service team or your Professional Relations Representative.

Delta Dental PPO Fee Schedule

The 2019 Delta Dental PPO Fee Schedules were mailed on November 14 to all general dental offices participating in the Delta Dental PPO network. The PPO Fee schedule is also available online, in the "Documents & Dentist Handbook" section of your dentist account.

Contact your local Professional Relations Representative if you would like to participate in or learn more about the PPO network - or request more information here.

Detailed Dentist Snapshot (DDS Report)

We've made it easy for you to access the reporting you want. Check out the "Dentist Snapshot Report" in the "Reporting" section in your online dentist account. In this report you'll find:

• all procedure codes submitted within the selected reporting period
• your most commonly submitted fee for each procedure and the allowed Premier and PPO amounts
• your percentage of Premier and PPO patients (regardless of your participation status)
• your number of claims submitted and the percent that were submitted electronically
• direct deposit enrollment details
• your top denied codes and explanation
• the number of calls made by your office to us and the purpose of the calls
• patient trends in your practice
• the top Premier and PPO groups that make up your patient base

The American Dental Association has published the new procedure codes for 2019. Changes include: 15 new codes, 4 deleted codes and 7 revised codes.

To order CDT 2019 items, visit adacatalog.org or contact the ADA at 800.947.4746.

Please note: the listing of procedure codes does not mean that the procedure code is a covered or reimbursable benefit within a dental benefits plan.

D8660 Pre-orthodontic treatment examination to monitor growth and development – This procedure code is not a benefit for patients with orthodontic history. A “pre” orthodontic visit must be performed on a date preceding orthodontic banding or delivery of aligners. Fees for D8660 submitted on the same date of service as D8070, D8080 or D8090 are not billable to the patient.

Explanation: A “pre” orthodontic visit must be performed on a date preceding orthodontic banding or delivery of aligners.

Evaluations – age limitation changes – D0145 oral evaluation for a patient under three years of age and counseling with primary caregiver.

The following codes are for patients ages 3 years and older:

• D0150 (comprehensive oral evaluation – new or established patient)
• D0160 (detailed and extensive oral evaluation – problem focused, by report)
• D0180 (comprehensive periodontal evaluation – new or established patient)

Claims will be processed based upon the appropriate evaluation code according to age. D0120 (periodic oral evaluation – established patient) remain valid for ages 0-99.

• Amarr Entrematic (Group #1498) - Diagnostic and Preventive changing to two (2) times per calendar year. Periodontal surgical re-entry frequency limit changing from 24 months to 36 months. Adding Preventive Plus*.
• Axcet HR Solutions (Group #50064) - Adding posterior composite coverage.
• Georgia Pacific (GP) (Group #53000, #53001, #53002) - Adding Preventive Plus* to group #'s 53000-0-1-0, 53000-0-2-0, 53000-0-3-0, 53000-0-4-0, 53001-0-1-0, 53001-0-2-0, 53001-0-36-0, 53001-0-37-0. Adding adult orthodontics to Flex Ortho only (53000-0-3-0, 53000-0-4-0). Changing orthodontic age to 26 on ALL GP groups that include orthodontic coverage.
• Koch Industries (Group #50950) - Adding Preventive Plus* (excludes group #50951).
• Stormont Vail Healthcare (Group #91504) - Adding adult and child orthodontics with $1,000 separate orthodontic maximum. Adding deductible of $50/person up to $150/family (was previously no deductible).
• YRC (Group #90305, #90405, #90505, #90705, #92305, #92405, #92505, #92605) - Adding Incentive Plan (Benefits will increase from the base level to the incentive level if the member receives a routine exam and/or cleaning at least one (1) time in twelve (12) months. Benefits will increase to the incentive level ninety (90) days after a cleaning and/or exam. Benefits for new members will begin at the incentive level. After twelve (12) months, benefit levels will be determined by the date of the last Diagnostic or Preventive treatment).

*Preventive Plus - Diagnostic & Preventive services do not accumulate to Annual Maximum.

Please be aware plan changes may occur at the beginning of a plan year. Plan rollovers occur throughout the month of December for the new year, to verify current year accruals contact Customer Service at 800.234.3375.

As a best practice, we recommend that you verify patient coverage and benefits each time your patient seeks treatment at your office. You can easily check by logging in to your dentist account.

**New group Announcement** - Pfizer employees will be covered under the Delta Dental PPO plan through Delta Dental of New York effective January 1, 2019. Delta Dental of New York’s contact center is happy to answer any questions about this transition. Please feel free to call 888-893-4411.

2019 brochures for Delta Dental of Kansas' Individual & Family plans have been mailed out. These updated brochures have the correct rates for 2019.

Please use the 2019 brochures and discard the old brochures. Any enrollee who enrolls AFTER November 25, 2018 will have a 1-1-19 start date, and will have the 2019 rates.

Please fill out this form to send additional requests for brochures.

Learn more about our Individual and Family Plans.