Other medical fields have seen improvements by implementing value-based reimbursement models. Now it's the dental industry's turn to use them, an Arizona State University professor says.
William Riley, a professor at the College of Health Solutions at the Phoenix campus, has created the National Safety Net Advancement Center at the university to build a statewide coalition of oral healthcare providers, payers and policy leaders. The goal is to change how dentists get paid for their services, he told ASU Now, the university's news publication.
Dentists who accept Medicaid patients currently get paid based on a fee for their services after dental problems arise, but Mr. Riley said value-based models built on prevention are better.
"Putting the emphasis on prevention has the potential to improve the health of our communities in a very significant way," he said.
Under Mr. Riley's proposed value-based system, dentists would combine X-rays, dental exams, teeth cleanings, fluoride treatment and treatment plans into a single visit. For adults, a gum disease exam also would be included.
Providing the services in a bundle not only saves the patient time, but also allows dentists to see more patients, according to Mr. Riley.
"The alternative is to have the state Medicaid program develop the payment system, which can cause an adversarial relationship between payers and providers. It’s better to develop a good payment system by working with all the stakeholders, forming a consensus and mutual agreement," he told ASU Now.
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William Riley, a professor at the College of Health Solutions at the Phoenix campus, has created the National Safety Net Advancement Center at the university to build a statewide coalition of oral healthcare providers, payers and policy leaders. The goal is to change how dentists get paid for their services, he told ASU Now, the university's news publication.
Dentists who accept Medicaid patients currently get paid based on a fee for their services after dental problems arise, but Mr. Riley said value-based models built on prevention are better.
"Putting the emphasis on prevention has the potential to improve the health of our communities in a very significant way," he said.
Under Mr. Riley's proposed value-based system, dentists would combine X-rays, dental exams, teeth cleanings, fluoride treatment and treatment plans into a single visit. For adults, a gum disease exam also would be included.
Providing the services in a bundle not only saves the patient time, but also allows dentists to see more patients, according to Mr. Riley.
"The alternative is to have the state Medicaid program develop the payment system, which can cause an adversarial relationship between payers and providers. It’s better to develop a good payment system by working with all the stakeholders, forming a consensus and mutual agreement," he told ASU Now.
More articles on dental:
Man tries to rob dental office, needs extraction from air vent, police say
SS White selects new president
Alaska proposes eliminating Medicaid's preventive dental coverage for adults