Should I Accept Assignment of Benefits Once we are Out of Network?

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence podcast, Gary Takas and Naren Arulrajah tackle a common dilemma faced by dental practices transitioning out of network: should they accept the assignment of benefits? They begin by elucidating the significance of this term in dental insurance processes, where accepting the assignment of benefits means authorizing the insurance company to send the reimbursement check directly to the dental practice rather than to the patient.

The hosts discuss the variability in policies among insurance companies, particularly focusing on the restrictive nature of Delta Dental regarding the acceptance of the assignment of benefits. They emphasize the importance of checking with insurance companies about their policies post-transitioning out of the network, as some may need to allow practices to accept the assignment of benefits for in-state patients.

Despite the challenges, Gary and Naren advocate for a patient-friendly approach even after transitioning out of the network. They stress the importance of making processes easy for patients and disagree with consultants who suggest completely washing hands off insurance involvement post-transition. Instead, they recommend maintaining a level of involvement in insurance processes to provide better customer service to patients. The hosts express optimism about successfully resigning from PPO plans within a specific timeframe.