Practice Sleep Dentistry as You Imagined.
As an experienced professional in sleep dentistry practice management, I've heard many stories from dentists who tried their hand at sleep dentistry, only to feel overwhelmed by the perceived administrative complexities. I'm here to reassure you: the obstacles you've faced are not insurmountable, and in fact, you're closer to success than you might think.
Navigating Medical Insurance Credentialing and Claims Filing
Firstly, let's talk about medical insurance credentialing and claims filing. As someone who's spent years working with dental insurance, the complexity of medical insurance might feel daunting. I totally understand. After all, it covers the entire human body, not just the mouth. But I've seen countless practices smoothly navigate this complexity by leveraging the services of medical insurance credentialing companies. They streamline the process, making it faster and more cost-effective, handling the heavy administrative lifting for you. With an average cost of $200-$300 per insurance carrier, you can be credentialed within as little as two weeks.
Filing medical insurance claims is another aspect that might seem complicated initially. However, it's not much different from what you do daily when filing dental insurance claims. There are only three ICD-10 codes you need to know for filing a claim for oral appliance therapy treatment, and most credentialing companies will even help you set up an electronic clearinghouse for easy filing.
Simplifying Patient Referrals
Next, let's talk about patient referrals. Some dentists believe the process is too complex. That's not necessarily the case. Partnering with a third-party provider, like ClevMed, can simplify the whole process of ordering a sleep test and obtaining a sleep apnea diagnosis. This service costs just $150-$200 per patient and can be included in the total cost of oral appliance therapy treatment, ensuring no impact on your profit margins.
Acquiring New Sleep Patients
Lastly, many dentists find difficulty in acquiring new sleep patients. Here's the thing, you're probably not looking in the right places. You likely have hundreds of potential sleep apnea cases in your established patient base. With targeted, personalized marketing and the proper screening process, it's possible to activate this group of patients.
Furthermore, if you want to reach out to a wider audience, you can't go wrong with expert marketing help. At Forefront Dental, we help practices craft effective marketing plans that educate patients and motivate them to accept treatment. The ROI can be substantial.
Let's Do This
The truth is, the obstacles in sleep dentistry are not as formidable as they seem. By leveraging the right outsourced solutions and investing a small amount, you can streamline your processes and reap the rewards of a thriving sleep dentistry practice. Trust me, I've seen it happen. Remember, the majority of the front-end work is already done; you've acquired the necessary education and had your first few patients. You're closer to the finish line than you might believe. It's now time to push through and emerge victorious. You can do this, and I'm here to help you every step of the way.
