Dentrix Dental Systems, Inc. and MetLife have announced an agreement that permits dental offices to obtain real-time patient eligibility and benefits information from MetLife directly through the dentist's practice management system.
"This agreement with MetLife marks a significant step in offering a greater number of dental offices the option to obtain eligibility and benefit information electronically from within the DENTRIX practice management system," said Travis Smith, Dentrix Manager of Payer Relations. "This information empowers the dental office to provide its patients with important information about their dental plan. Real-time access to plan information and more informed decisions help build stronger relationships among the dentist, their patients and the insurance carrier."
Effective immediately, dental offices may include digital or scanned electronic attachments�x-rays, perio charts, cosmetic presentations, or other images with their claims. This is a great advantage for those offices utilizing high-tech tools to take digital x-rays, photos or create cosmetic presentations. The option to send attachments with claims allows a dental office to provide this pertinent information to the payer at the initial submission of the claim. The outcome is increased efficiency for the dentists and payers, often resulting in quicker adjudication and payment of claims. Later in the year, dental offices will have real-time capability to receive claim status information, submit electronic claims and view Explanations of Benefits (EOBs).
"Real life requires real time information. Having patient eligibility and plan information on hand during an office visit may open up a more meaningful dialogue between the dentist and patient about details of covered procedures, alternative solutions and payment responsibilities. It also can help streamline dentists' administration efforts and improve dental practice efficiency," says Richard J. Sitkus, Vice-President and Chief Dental Operations Officer for MetLife. "I am pleased that dentists will have the option to use these additional services through Dentrix."
